The Odisha Tourism Conclave an initiative of Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) which has become a calendar event of the state is growing bigger & better year -on-year. Today, the Conclave plays an integral role in bringing the government and private industry stakeholder of hospitality and tourism sector under one roof to discuss and share ideas for the growth of this sector in Odisha.
The fourth edition of the Conclave organized today, received huge response from the industry stakeholders. The Conclave witnessed a lot of new tour operators and hoteliers from all over the state. According to the organizer, over 220 members were present in the conclave. There were around 100 tour operators and travel agents who are young, new, and wanted to learn, and listen to the experts who spoke at the conclave.
Apart from this, HRAO had invited bloggers, travel writers, cuisine and adventure sports experts to cover and share their ideas on the potential and opportunities of tourism in Odisha.
While speaking on the importance of the Conclave, J K Mohanty, Chairman HRAO said: “The main objective of organizing this conclave is to create awareness of vast tourism potential of Odisha. Although Odisha has a huge tourism potential, compared with its neighbouring states, it has the lowest tourist traffic in Eastern India with the lowest number of star category hotels.”
His Excellency Governor Prof. Ganeshi Lal, Hon’ble Tourism Minister Odisha Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism, Sports & Youth Services Vishal Dev, Addl DG, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India Rupinder Brar, Director and Addl Secretary Tourism, Govt. of Odisha N C Mishra were present on the occasion.
During the last three tourism conclaves the various recommendations submitted to the State Tourism Department and the Government of Odisha have not only taken up positively but many of them have been implemented as well. These are as below:
Revamping digital marketing strategies
Optimization of Odisha Tourism website
Promotion of Eco Tourism
Conducting domestic roadshows in different states
Cleanliness campaign at Puri
Change of Odisha Tourism logo
Single Window Clearance for operation of tourism projects
Special promotion campaigns at destination connected by Airlines to create awareness about tourist attractions in Odisha
Development of tourists circuits other than Puri & Konark to give a boost to Odisha as a 21 night destination (including Western Odisha)
Allotment of land for hotel projects to attract investments to the State etc.
