200+ buyers, 100+ tourism businesses and more than 6,000 scheduled B2B meetings planned as OTB 2026 begins in Bhubaneswar
GTNS | BHUBANESWAR | OCTOBER 1, 2026 : Odisha is preparing to bring its tourism sector closer to international and domestic markets with the seventh edition of the Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) 2026), scheduled to take place from October 3 to 5 at Mayfair Sanctuary in Bhubaneswar.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida announced the programme on Thursday at a pre-event press conference at Mayfair Lagoon, outlining the three-day B2B marketplace as an opportunity to connect Odisha’s tourism industry with buyers from India and overseas.
Organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the event will feature more than 92 private-sector exhibitors, foreign tour operators from 27 countries and domestic buyers representing 32 Indian cities. Organisers expect more than 6,000 pre-scheduled business meetings during the event.
Focus shifts from destination promotion to business opportunities
The scale of the 2026 edition places business networking at the centre of Odisha’s tourism promotion strategy. The event is designed to allow tourism businesses in the state to directly engage with tour operators and buyers who can potentially develop Odisha-focused travel products and packages.
Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Chief Minister Parida said the state’s tourism strategy seeks to increase the economic contribution of tourism while expanding Odisha’s visibility among travellers and investors.
She referred to the theme “Think India, Think Odisha”, and highlighted adventure tourism, homestays and hospitality as areas where the state is seeking further growth.
Parida also stressed that tourism expansion should create opportunities beyond large hotels and established resorts. According to her, local communities, guides, drivers, artisans, homestay operators and small businesses should also participate in the economic activity generated by increasing tourist arrivals.
Youth and local enterprises in focus
Another dimension highlighted at the briefing was the potential of tourism to generate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in Odisha.
The Deputy Chief Minister described the Travel Bazaar as more than a destination-marketing platform, saying it can provide exposure to tourism businesses, skills, career opportunities and investment possibilities for youth in different parts of the state.
The strategy places Odisha’s cultural traditions and community-based experiences alongside established tourism products, with the intention of creating a wider tourism economy across different regions.
Eight FAM tours to showcase Odisha
The three-day event will also be supported by eight Familiarisation (FAM) Tours before and after the main programme.
Tour operators, buyers, media representatives and influencers will be taken to selected destinations to experience Odisha’s tourism offerings directly. The tours will cover themes including heritage and spirituality, nature and wildlife, tribal traditions, coastal attractions and experiential tourism.
The programme also includes an experience-sharing session featuring celebrity chef Ranveer Brar, with culinary tourism forming part of the state’s wider tourism promotion effort.
Industry participation
Senior officials and representatives of Odisha’s tourism and hospitality industry were present at the pre-event briefing.
Those attending included Tourism Commissioner-cum-Secretary Balwant Singh, Tourism Director Deepankar Mohapatra, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha Secretary General Dhiman Majumdar, Travel Agent Association of Odisha Secretary Alok Moharana, IATO Odisha Chapter Chairman Gagan Sarangi, EKTTA President Debasish Mishra and OTOA Secretary Yugabrata Kar.
With international operators, domestic buyers and Odisha-based tourism businesses participating under one platform, OTB 2026 is set to place business-to-business engagement at the centre of the state’s tourism outreach.
The event will run from October 3 to 5 in Bhubaneswar.