Odisha Eyes Global Tourism Leadership with ₹8153 Crore Investment in MICE and Wedding Tourism

Bhubaneswar: On the second day of Utkarsh Odisha: Make In Odisha Conclave 2025, the Department of Tourism hosted a sectoral session titled “Celebrating Connections: Elevating MICE and Wedding Tourism as Catalysts for Economic Growth”. The session brought together industry leaders, government officials, and investors to explore the immense potential of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE) and Wedding Tourism in driving economic growth and global collaboration.

The session was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, in the presence of Manoj Ahuja, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, and Balwant Singh, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Tourism, Odisha. Speaking at the event, Parida highlighted that Odisha has successfully positioned itself as a leading tourism destination, attracting both domestic and international visitors with a blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and modern infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of fostering global connections, cultural exchange, and eco-conscious tourism practices.

Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ease of doing business, aligning with Viksit Odisha Vision 2036. He noted that the tourism sector is a top priority with immense potential to generate employment, adding that the government is refining its efforts to make the sector more investor-friendly. Commissioner-cum-Secretary Balwant Singh, IAS, outlined Odisha’s tourism growth strategy, which includes diverse experiences, proactive policy facilitation, and sustained promotional campaigns. His presentation showcased investment-ready land banks and key initiatives aimed at positioning Odisha as a premier MICE and Wedding destination.

The session witnessed investment intentions for 121 tourism projects worth ₹8153 crore, reflecting strong investor confidence in Odisha’s tourism and hospitality potential. Among these, ₹2387 crore has been pledged for 23 resort projects across Koraput, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Puri, Khordha, Bhadrak, and Balasore, while 47 hotel projects have secured investment commitments totaling ₹3792 crore across Puri, Sambalpur, Paradeep, Gopalpur, Ganjam, and Bhubaneswar. Furthermore, 30 Way Side Amenities Centres (Motel/WAC) projects have attracted investments worth ₹246 crore, enhancing infrastructure for improved tourist services.

Adventure and water sports tourism has also gained traction, with nine water sports and cruise projects in Puri, Khordha, Chilika, Sundargarh, and Cuttack receiving investment intentions amounting to ₹554 crore. Additionally, four adventure sports projects in Koraput and Sundargarh have secured ₹23 crore in investments. The state’s focus on multi-utility hospitality centres has resulted in commitments worth ₹1060 crore, while growing interest in caravan and camping tourism has brought in investments worth ₹58 crore and ₹2.95 crore, respectively. These investments highlight Odisha’s strategic vision for fostering a vibrant, sustainable, and world-class tourism ecosystem.

A key highlight of the session was the signing of an MoU between Odisha Tourism and the National Council of Science Museums. This partnership aims to enrich the state’s cultural tourism landscape by developing new museums and interpretation centres, further strengthening Odisha’s position as a cultural tourism hub.

The session also featured a high-profile panel discussion moderated by Debjit Dutta, Chairman of IATO West Bengal Chapter and Director & CEO of Impression Tourism Services (India) Pvt Ltd. The panel included experts from leading hospitality and tourism brands, who discussed global trends, investment opportunities, and policy innovations to strengthen Odisha’s MICE and Wedding Tourism sectors.