Bhubaneswar: World Tourism Day is being observed in a befitting manner today. Odisha Tourism along with stakeholders of the State Tourism fraternity organised a massive Tourism Walk from Master Canteen to Ekamra Haat. Sri Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Minister, Tourism, Odia Language, Literature and Culture inaugurated the Walk at 7AM in the presence of Smt. Shreemayee Mishra, Chairperson, Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), Sri Vishal Kumar Dev, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism, Sri
Nirmal Chandra Mishra, Director & Addl. Secretary, Tourism and host of other distinguished dignitaries.
The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is ‘Tourism & Job: A Better Future for all’ and India was the host country this year. Participants from Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), Travel Agents Association of Odisha (TAAO), Odisha Tour Operators Association (OTOA), Indian Assocation of Tour Operators (IATO -Odisha Chapter), Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM), Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Skating Associations, Tourism and Hospitality Management Institute’s Students
participated in the Walk. Four stages were erected on the way to Ekamra Haat for cultural performances sponsored by the Culture Department and cultural groups from Koraput, Sambalpur and Puri were drawn to perform and showcase the great cultural heritage of Odisha.
Odisha, situated in the Eastern Coast of the country and washed by blue water is a many splendour state replete with immense opportunities in tourism sector. Tourism potential of Odisha include a plethora of significant fields such as Tribal Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Health Tourism, Eco-Tourism, Adventure Tourism and Sport Tourism. Besides, long coast line, towering mountains, serene lakes, frolicking rivers, heritage places, temples with extra-ordinary art and sculpture, monuments, festivals, wildlife, flora and
fauna are major attractions to showcase and market state’s tourism resources.
‘Atithi Devo Bhava’: Tourists greeted The World Tourism Day gets a colourful feather when the tourists at Biju Patnaik International Airport were greeted as guests of Odisha. Minister Sri Panigrahi along with Chairperson, OTDC, Secretary, Tourism and Director, Tourism welcomed the tourists at 10.30AM with rose buds, a symbolic glimpse of Odisha hospitality. The number of tourist footfalls in domestic and international sector has
seen a significant increase.
A Food Festival will be inaugurated in the afternoon at Ekamra Haat (Western Block) by the Minister, Tourism where 27 leading hoteliers and restaurant owners have confirmed participation that will continue till 13th October 2019. The Food Festival is being organised in association with IHM and HRAO.
The evening programme at Rabindra Mandap will kick start with presentation awards to the winners of various competitions and inauguration of the souvenirs. Cultural programme (drama) will be performed by the members of the Cultural Association of Tourism Department.
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