Odisha Travel Bazaar 2025: Boosting Cultural and Heritage Tourism with Global Collaborations

The 6th edition of Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) 2025, held from February 24 to 27, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, has successfully positioned Odisha as a premier tourism destination on the global stage. The event, jointly organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), witnessed an impressive participation of 100+ domestic tour operators (DTOs) and 30+ foreign tour operators (FTOs) from 17 countries, including Australia, the UK, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Spain, and Singapore.

With over 3,000 Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings conducted between 70 sellers from Odisha’s tourism sector and global stakeholders, the event is expected to play a crucial role in expanding Odisha’s international tourism footprint, creating employment opportunities, and driving investments into cultural and heritage tourism.

Transforming Odisha’s Cultural and Heritage Economy through Tourism

Odisha, with its rich heritage, ancient temples, vibrant tribal culture, Buddhist sites, and pristine beaches, has long remained an underrated destination in India’s tourism sector. The Odisha Travel Bazaar 2025 has reinforced the state’s commitment to heritage tourism, sustainability, and cultural promotion, benefiting artisans, heritage professionals, and performers alike.

At the 6th Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) 2025, an Adventure Tourism Workshop was convened to position Odisha as a premier destination for adventure enthusiasts. The workshop commenced with a context-setting session by Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism, Balwant Singh, who highlighted Odisha’s diverse landscapes, from pristine coastlines to majestic hills and rivers, ideal for adventure tourism. A key highlight was the presentation of the Draft Odisha Adventure Tourism Guidelines 2025 by Director Tourism, Samarth Verma, outlining regulatory frameworks and best practices to promote safe and sustainable adventure tourism in the state. The event saw active participation from over 40 adventure tourism operators, travel experts, and enthusiasts specialising in water sports, aero sports, and terrestrial sports, who shared their experiences and discussed strategies to develop infrastructure and ensure safety standards. 

Some of the other highlights of OTB 2025 include:

Showcasing Odisha’s Traditional Arts & Performing Culture

• Live demonstrations of Odissi dance, Gotipua, Bagha Nacha (Tiger Dance), Ghumura dance, and Dalkhai folk performances mesmerised international delegates.

• Handloom and handicrafts stalls featuring Pattachitra, silver filigree, applique art, and stone carving connected local artisans with global buyers.

• These initiatives are expected to increase global demand for Odisha’s traditional crafts and performing arts.

Familiarisation (FAM) Trips to Key Heritage & Natural Sites

• International buyers and media representatives were taken on curated trips to Konark Sun Temple, Raghurajpur Heritage Village, the Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri Buddhist Circuit, and Bhitarkanika National Park.

• These visits are expected to increase tourist inflow, leading to job creation for local guides, conservationists, and rural communities.

International Collaborations & Investments

• Several international tour operators expressed interest in curating Odisha-specific travel packages, particularly in heritage, eco-tourism, and adventure tourism.

• Investors from Southeast Asia and Europe explored possibilities for luxury tourism, boutique heritage stays, and experiential travel offerings.

New Initiatives in Rural & Eco-Tourism

• The Odisha government announced incentives for homestays, tribal tourism projects, and sustainable tourism ventures, creating direct opportunities for rural communities.

• Plans were unveiled to enhance connectivity and infrastructure around lesser-known heritage sites, ensuring equitable tourism growth across Odisha.

In addition to OTB 2025, the event featured the Explore Odisha Quiz – Challenge Yourself & Win competition, designed to engage participants and deepen their knowledge of the state’s rich cultural heritage and tourist attractions. This interactive session encouraged attendees to familiarise themselves with Odisha’s history, art forms, and natural beauty, fostering a greater appreciation and promoting informed tourism. Such initiatives aim to create a more immersive experience for visitors and empower local communities by highlighting the unique aspects of Odisha’s cultural landscape.

Economic Impact: Strengthening Odisha’s Tourism and Cultural Sector

Industry experts predict that the Odisha Travel Bazaar 2025 could contribute ₹5,000 crore to the state’s tourism economy in the next five years, with direct benefits to cultural tourism stakeholders.

Projected Economic Benefits from OTB 2025:

• Growth in International & Domestic Tourism: The agreements signed with tour operators are expected to boost foreign tourist arrivals, increasing spending in hospitality, transport, and cultural sites.

• Expansion of the Handicrafts & Heritage Economy: The event saw export orders and retail partnerships for Odisha’s artisans, ensuring better earnings for craft communities.

• Boost for Local Artists & Cultural Entrepreneurs: Traditional dance troupes, musicians, and craftsmen now have direct access to a global audience, leading to performance opportunities abroad.

• Revival of Lesser-Known Cultural Landmarks: Investments in rural heritage tourism will bring economic activity to previously overlooked destinations, helping preserve Odisha’s historical sites.

At the Odisha Tourism Stall at OTB 2025, a curated collection of souvenirs was thoughtfully designed to allow participants to take home a piece of Odisha’s vibrant culture. These souvenirs seamlessly blended traditional Odia art forms with contemporary designs, creating unique keepsakes that celebrated the state’s artistic heritage. From Pattachitra-inspired magnets and key rings to handcrafted bottles, t-shirts, caps, mugs, and tote bags, each item reflected the essence of Odisha in a modern, functional form. This initiative not only provided visitors with memorable takeaways but also showcased Odisha’s rich craftsmanship and artistic legacy on a global stage.

Government’s Commitment to Odisha’s Tourism Growth

Speaking at the event, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making Odisha a top-tier heritage tourism destination:

“Odisha is home to some of the most stunning natural and cultural treasures in the world. Through strategic global partnerships, we are ensuring that our cultural identity is not only preserved but also economically uplifted. The Odisha Travel Bazaar 2025 is a crucial step in this direction, fostering a new era of responsible and profitable tourism.”

The Odisha government announced several initiatives to strengthen cultural and heritage tourism, including:

• Public-private partnerships for conservation of heritage sites.

• Financial assistance for eco-tourism and rural tourism projects.

• Enhanced connectivity & digital promotion of cultural circuits.

• Skill development programs for local artisans and tour guides.

Odisha Travel Bazaar 2025: A Defining Moment for Odisha’s Tourism Industry

With record-breaking participation, strategic international collaborations, and a strong government push for sustainable tourism, Odisha Travel Bazaar 2025 has successfully set the stage for long-term economic and cultural prosperity.

By leveraging its rich history, vibrant arts, and pristine natural landscapes, Odisha is not only enhancing its global tourism appeal but also ensuring sustainable livelihoods for thousands of heritage professionals, artisans, and cultural entrepreneurs.

As Odisha emerges as a top cultural and heritage tourism destination, OTB 2025 marks the beginning of a transformative journey—one that promises to redefine the state’s tourism economy for years to come.