Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to host the seventh edition of the Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) from October 3 to 5, with tourism stakeholders from 27 countries and domestic buyers from 32 cities expected to participate in the three-day business-to-business marketplace.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida announced the event on Thursday at a press conference at Mayfair Lagoon. Organised by the Department of Tourism in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), OTB 2026 will be held at Mayfair Sanctuary in Bhubaneswar.
The event will bring together more than 92 private company exhibitors and is expected to facilitate over 6,000 pre-scheduled business meetings between tourism businesses and buyers.
Speaking at the press conference, Parida said Odisha was pursuing a tourism strategy focused on generating direct economic benefits for local communities while strengthening the state’s presence in the global tourism market.
“Our tagline is ‘Think India, Think Odisha.’ If anyone in the world wishes to invest in India or explore India, they must think of Odisha first,” she said, adding that the state was advancing its tourism sector through policies on adventure tourism, homestays and hospitality.
Emphasising the inclusive approach of the state’s tourism policy, Parida said the benefits of tourism should reach local communities and small businesses across Odisha, rather than remain confined to hotels and resorts. She also highlighted the role of culture, traditions and community-based experiences in making a visit to the state memorable.
The Deputy Chief Minister urged media representatives and international tourism stakeholders to act as brand ambassadors for Odisha by showcasing its cultural heritage and living traditions, particularly those of rural areas, to audiences across the world.
Eight pre- and post-event familiarisation (FAM) tours will be organised as part of OTB 2026. These will take tour operators, buyers, media representatives and influencers to different destinations across the state, offering first-hand exposure to Odisha’s tourism products.
The tours will cover heritage and spiritual destinations, nature and wildlife, tribal traditions, coastal attractions and experiential tourism offerings. An experience-sharing session by celebrity chef Ranveer Brar is also planned to promote Odisha’s culinary tourism.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Tourism Department Balwant Singh, Director of Tourism Deepankar Mohapatra, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha Secretary General Dhiman Majumdar, Travel Agent Association of Odisha Secretary Alok Moharana, Indian Association of Tour Operators Odisha Chapter Chairman Gagan Sarangi, Enterprising Knot of Travel and Tourism Associates President Debasish Mishra and OTOA Secretary Yugabrata Kar were present at the press conference.
