Odisha Travel Bazaar 2025 Kicks Off with B2B Exhibition and Adventure Tourism Workshop

Bhubaneswar: The 6th edition of the Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) 2025 commenced  with a major B2B exhibition aimed at positioning Odisha as a premier tourism and investment hub. Organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, in collaboration with FICCI, the three-day event is bringing together leading domestic tour operators and Odisha-based sellers, fostering crucial business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) engagements.

Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated the B2B exhibition, which saw the participation of over 100 buyers from across India, including states such as Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. More than 3,000 pre-scheduled B2B meetings were conducted between 70+ sellers from Odisha’s tourism sector and domestic and international tour operators, paving the way for new business collaborations.

As part of the OTB 2025, an Adventure Tourism Workshop was held at Mayfair Lagoon, Bhubaneswar, bringing together key industry stakeholders, government officials, and adventure tourism experts to shape the future of Odisha’s adventure tourism landscape. Addressing the workshop, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida highlighted Odisha’s potential as a leading adventure tourism destination. “Odisha stands as the premier destination for adventure sports, offering breathtaking locations including beaches, dense forests, hills, and waterfalls. Our commitment is to develop these sites for future generations and establish Odisha as a top destination for adventure and exploration over the next 50 years,” she said.

Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Mugdha Sinha IAS, emphasized the alignment of Odisha’s vision with India’s diverse tourism expansion. “Adventure tourism is about responsible travel, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunities for local communities. Odisha’s cultural and natural heritage, along with its entrepreneurial spirit, makes it a unique and vibrant destination for adventure seekers,” she remarked.

DC-cum-ACS, Government of Odisha, Smt. Anu Garg IAS, reiterated the state’s commitment to tourism-led economic growth. “Odisha is truly blessed, with an untapped shoreline, dense forests, temples, waterfalls, RAMSAR sites, and sanctuaries. Our state is engaged in a visioning exercise for 2036 and 2047, with tourism at the heart of our growth strategy,” she stated.

The workshop commenced with a session by Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism, Balwant Singh IAS, who underscored the state’s ideal landscape for adventure tourism. “From pristine coastlines to majestic hills and rivers, Odisha has immense potential for adventure tourism. This workshop is a step towards structured guidelines that ensure sustainability, safety, and world-class experiences,” he said.

A key highlight was the presentation of the Draft Odisha Adventure Tourism Guidelines 2025 by Director Tourism, Samarth Verma IAS. The guidelines outline regulatory frameworks, strategic pillars, adventure potential destinations, and best practices to promote safe and sustainable adventure tourism. “From hot air ballooning to bungee jumping, from kayaking to winch parasailing, Odisha has the perfect destinations to accommodate every kind of adventure tourism,” Shri Verma stated.

The workshop saw active participation from over 40 adventure tourism operators, travel experts, and enthusiasts specializing in water sports, aero sports, and terrestrial sports. Their insights and experiences are expected to help shape a robust roadmap for Odisha’s adventure tourism sector.

With a strong focus on expanding Odisha’s tourism potential and promoting sustainable adventure tourism, the 6th Odisha Travel Bazaar 2025 is set to be a game-changer in redefining the state’s travel landscape.