Odisha Tourism celebrates World Tourism Day

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day keeping in view more tourist footfalls to the state which has a vast tourism potential. The celebration included a Tourism Walk, Food Festival and Cultural Programme. In the morning Odisha Tourism organised a massive walk that started from Kalinga Stadium terminated at Utkal Mandap.

Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Tourism flagged off the walk in which about a thousand persons including students, young people, senior citizens, members of skating associations, representatives of Hotel & Restaurant Association, Travel Association, Tour Operators, Odisha State Tourist Guide Association along with Hoteliers participated in the walk. On the way live performances of cultural programmes on 6 stages by 9 different troops were major attractions. Gotipua, Sambalpuri,
Odissi, Tribal dance and Medha Nacha made the walkers amazed. The beginning of walk from Kalinga Stadium was a gesture of curtain raiser of ensuing World Cup Hockey in
Odisha, affirming the commitment of Odisha Tourism to develop sports tourism infrastructure. Among others Sri A. N. Jena, Mayor, BMC, Sri Priyadarshi Mishra, MLA,
Sri Bishal K. Dev, Commissioner, Department of Tourism and Archana Pattnaik, Director, Tourism were also present in the wlak.

In the afternoon, a Food Festival was organised by the Department in IDCO Exhibition Ground. As Culinary/recipes, like heritage, monuments and beach are also
integral part of tourism activities and on the other hand smart Bhubaneswar is happening city, organisation of a food festival like previous years was a meaningful agenda in the celebration. 22 stalls opened by different hotels, OTDC, Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology and Nutrition, OMFED and other organisations had a variety of food items including Indian, continental dishes. Attractions included Odia Pitha, Mughlai & Kabab, Biriyani, Quick Service Snacks, Mocktail, Shakes, Bakery & Confectionary, Pizza, Chakuli & Mutton, Sea Food & Fish, Tribal Food and Milk Products. Archana Pattanaik, Director, Utpal K. Pati, Joint Director and senior officer Ratikanta Pattanaik among others were present in the Food Festival. In the evening, Odisha Tourism cultural Association (Paryatana Bibhaga Sanskrutika
Parishad) staged a Drama in Rabindra Mandap before a packed audience.

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