suparjya swain 
Bhubaneswar: Odisha is making a notable impression at the ongoing Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2025 in Jaipur, positioning itself as a rising hub for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism in India. Led by Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida, the state’s delegation is actively engaging with national and international tourism stakeholders through a series of high-level meetings, business engagements, and focused dialogues.
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, speaking at the inaugural “Meet in India Conclave,” praised Odisha’s campaign, calling it a professional and visionary example of how regional tourism can scale to international standards. He commended the state for its dynamic participation and underlined the broader national effort, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to boost India’s MICE potential.
Odisha’s presence at GITB is centered around promoting itself as a credible and capable destination for large-scale business events. The state’s strategy highlights infrastructure readiness, policy-driven support, and an integrated tourism approach that blends business travel with cultural and ecological experiences.
Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Tourism, represented Odisha at the Secretaries’ Roundtable on MICE Tourism. He outlined the state’s track record in successfully organizing major international events such as the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025, FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, and Asian Athletics Championship, many of which were executed within tight timelines. He also detailed Odisha’s innovations in event management, including portal-based systems, real-time tracking of delegates, and community-linked planning—positioning the state as a replicable model for MICE execution.
A key event during the GITB was a stakeholder meeting chaired by Pravati Parida, which brought together over 45 participants including representatives from Foreign Tour Operators (FTOs), Event Management Agencies (EMAs), and Destination Management Companies (DMCs). During the session, Parida reaffirmed the Odisha government’s commitment to enabling smooth operations for tourism industry players. She assured participants that the state is actively addressing operational challenges through a policy framework designed to attract MICE events and support them with streamlined approvals, incentives, and infrastructure.
The Department of Tourism presented its ongoing initiatives aimed at positioning Odisha as a premier MICE destination. These efforts include financial incentives for organizers, a fast-track NOC process, and support for events hosted across a range of venues—from cutting-edge convention centers in urban hubs to scenic eco-retreats in rural and coastal regions.
Tourism Director Mansi Nimbhal highlighted the scope for collaboration and investment, urging national and international partners to explore opportunities in Odisha. Lokesh Kumar, PMU Team Leader and Director at EY, moderated G2B and B2B meetings, facilitating dialogue with key players from across the tourism value chain.
Odisha’s campaign at GITB 2025 has drawn praise for its professional execution and clear messaging. Backed by heritage, natural beauty, strong governance, and growing infrastructure, the state is fast emerging as a top-tier tourism and MICE destination, offering both leisure and business travelers a compelling reason to explore the region.
