By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, October 28, 2022: Odisha has been taking focused steps to develop and introduce several niche tourism experiences, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Friday while welcoming the stakeholders of travel and tourism industry to the 4th edition of Odisha Travel Bazaar.

The flagship event of Odisha Tourism will showcase India’s best kept secrets, Naveen hoped adding, “We have identified 17 priority destinations encompassing beaches, biodiversity zones, heritage monuments and areas of religious and cultural importance for integrated master-planning based development. With products which are centred on key tourism offerings to match global standards, Odisha will be able to attract not just the finest brands in business of travel and hospitality but also tourists looking for experiences that are bespoke with a fresh perspective”.

Bhubaneswar today has evolved into the Sports Capital of India, and has been hosting international marquee events since the past few years. After successfully hosting the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, Odisha now has the rare opportunity of hosting FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup for the consecutive second time. To make this sporting event truly world class, India’s biggest Hockey Stadium is coming up in Rourkela, which, along with Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar will be hosting the matches in January 2023, the Chief Minister said.

“We are also tirelessly working towards enriching our tourism experiences by encouraging investments and enterprises in niche segments such as houseboat tourism, glamping, water-based adventure, camping and caravan tourism, heritage palace homestays and many more”, the Odisha CM said.

“With so much to welcome the world, Odisha is ready to be one of the most happening places in India”, he added.

The Chief Minister also urged the stakeholders of travel and tourism industry to explore Odisha and become State’s partners.