By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, October 13, 2019: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday will inaugurate the third edition of Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) to be held here from October 14 to 20.

The OTB is being jointly organised by state Tourism department and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). OTB was held for the last two years to promote the vast tourism potential of the state and attract investments for tourism infrastructure development of the state.

As many as 85 tour operators including 60 domestic operators from 13 states and 25 foreign tour operators from 15 countries are scheduled to participate in the event. The key highlight of the Summit will be its exclusive focus on the business of inbound and domestic tourism.

State Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi said this time tour operators from Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Netherland, USA, Ukraine and UK have been invited and they are scheduled to attend the OTB.

Unlike the previous year, this time emphasis is given on domestic tour operators, he added.

While the maximum foreign tour operators are coming from China, Italy, Germany, Spain, Thailand and Netherland, the largest number of domestic tour operators is from Cochin and Mumbai.

Panigrahi said the state government has planned to organise roadshows in 12 cities of the country before organising the event. Out of the 12 cities, roadshows had already been organised in eight and it would be organised in Chenai, Varanasi, Ahmedabad and Raipur to promote tourism in the state.

The state also participated in events such as the ITB Berlin, WTM London, GITB Jaipur to woo tourists.

During the event, tour operators as well as international airline and travel writers will engage in B2B meetings with about 50 tour operators and hoteliers from Odisha who will showcase and market the tourism products of Odisha, along with Union Ministry of Tourism, and Odisha Tourism.