Massive Tourism Walk on World Tourism Day in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The World Tourism Day was observed in a befitting manner in Odisha on Friday.

Odisha Tourism along with stakeholders of the State Tourism fraternity organised a massive Tourism Walk from Master Canteen to Ekamra Haat.

Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi inaugurated the Walk in the presence of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) chairperson Shreemayee Mishra, Tourism secretary Vishal Kumar Dev, Tourism director Nirmal Chandra Mishra and host of other distinguished dignitaries.

The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is ‘Tourism & Job: A Better Future for all’ and India was the host country this year.

“Our goal for the next 3 years is to promote ecotourism, ethnic & handicrafts tourism, besides capitalising on niche segments like heritage homestays, sports & adventure tourism so that more tourists can explore the unexplored Odisha,” tweeted the Tourism secretary.

Participants from Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), Travel Agents Association of Odisha (TAAO), Odisha Tour Operators Association (OTOA), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO -Odisha Chapter), Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM), Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Skating Associations, Tourism and Hospitality Management Institute’s Students participated in the Walk.

“Odisha has more tourism potential than other states in India. Our Aim should be to make Odisha the tourist capital of India. As secretary sports, you have succeeded in making BBSR the sports capital of India. We want you to make Odisha the tourist capital of India,” said HRAO chairman Jitendra Kumar Mohanty.