Odisha Tourism Pushes Digital Innovation, Community Participation on World Tourism Day

Bhubaneswar: From digital technology and artificial intelligence to homestays, adventure tourism and heritage conservation, Odisha used World Tourism Day 2026 to showcase a broader approach to tourism development that puts innovation and local participation alongside destination promotion.

The state-level celebration at the State Convention Centre, Lok Seba Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, brought together government officials and tourism stakeholders to discuss ways of making Odisha’s tourism sector more connected, sustainable and inclusive. The celebrations were organised around this year’s theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who was the chief guest, said tourism could become an important source of livelihoods and entrepreneurship if local communities were made active participants in the sector. She emphasised creating opportunities for youth, women, artisans, entrepreneurs and tourism service providers while improving the overall visitor experience.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg, who attended as the guest of honour, stressed the need for coordinated efforts and institutional partnerships in developing the state’s tourism ecosystem. She also highlighted the importance of balancing better visitor experiences with sustainable management of destinations and benefits for local communities.

One of the major announcements was an MoU between the Tourism Department and the State Bank of India to facilitate financial support for homestays. The initiative was accompanied by the distribution of Provisional Registration Certificates to 176 beneficiaries under the Homestay Scheme, expanding the scope for community-led accommodation and experiential tourism.

Adventure tourism received a separate push with an MoU between the Tourism Department and the Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association. Licences and registrations were also distributed to adventure tour operators as part of efforts to strengthen and formalise adventure tourism activities in Odisha.

At Chilika, new visitor and mobility options were highlighted through the virtual flag-off of an OTDC electric boat at Barkul and a catamaran by Swosti. The initiatives are intended to add new experiences for visitors at the lake while supporting tourism mobility.

The state also sought to strengthen the heritage tourism framework through an MoU between the Tourism Department and the Archaeological Survey of India. ASI Director General Yadubir Singh Rawat, who addressed the gathering, underlined the importance of preserving India’s heritage assets and integrating them meaningfully into tourism experiences.

Technology remained a central theme of the celebrations. A dedicated presentation on “Redesigning Tourism with Digital Innovation” showcased the potential of digital tools to change how tourists discover destinations, access services and experience attractions.

The department also organised a capacity-building workshop for homestay owners, focusing on service quality and creating authentic, visitor-friendly experiences. A sensitisation workshop on the Ethnic Tourism Initiative was held to encourage wider participation in community-based and ethnic tourism.

The celebrations also featured the flag-off of OTDC luxury coaches aimed at improving tourist mobility. An Odisha Tourism video showcasing the state’s tourism offerings and initiatives was screened, along with Mann Ki Baat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Isabelle Tschan addressed the gathering virtually and shared an international development perspective on tourism initiatives.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Tourism Department Balwant Singh said the initiatives unveiled during the celebrations reflected Odisha’s efforts to create new and diverse visitor experiences while strengthening local entrepreneurship, institutional partnerships and community participation.

The day-long programme will conclude with the inauguration of a Light and Sound Show at Khandagiri by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida. The new attraction will combine technology, heritage interpretation and immersive storytelling to present the historic site to visitors in a new format.