Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Department of Tourism, celebrated World Tourism Day 2026 today with a series of programmes focusing on digital innovation, sustainable tourism, institutional partnerships, adventure and heritage tourism, entrepreneurship and greater participation of local communities in the State’s tourism ecosystem.
The State-level celebration was held at the State Convention Centre, Lok Seba Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, in the presence of Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister, Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism, as the Chief Guest, and Anu Garg, Chief Secretary, Odisha, as the Guest of Honour.
The celebrations were organised in alignment with the World Tourism Day 2026 theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” highlighting the increasing role of technology, innovation and digital solutions in shaping accessible, connected and future-ready tourism experiences.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida underscored the transformative potential of tourism in generating livelihood opportunities, nurturing entrepreneurship and enabling communities to become active stakeholders in Odisha’s growth story.
She highlighted the need to bring together technology, sustainability, heritage, innovation and community participation to strengthen Odisha’s tourism ecosystem and enhance the visitor experience across destinations.
She stressed the importance of ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach local communities and create new opportunities for youth, women, entrepreneurs, artisans and tourism service providers.
She further highlighted the importance of digital innovation and emerging technologies in improving destination discovery, access to tourism services and the overall visitor experience. The initiatives launched and partnerships forged on World Tourism Day, she observed, would contribute towards building a more inclusive, sustainable and future-ready tourism sector in Odisha.
Addressing the gathering as Guest of Honour, Chief Secretary, Odisha, Anu Garg, highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts, institutional partnerships and innovation in strengthening Odisha’s tourism ecosystem.
She emphasised the need for tourism development to create opportunities for local communities while ensuring quality visitor experiences and sustainable management of destinations.
The programme commenced with the arrival of dignitaries and the flag-off of OTDC luxury coaches, aimed at enhancing tourist mobility and providing improved travel experiences for visitors to Odisha.
This was followed by the screening of Mann Ki Baat by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An Odisha Tourism video showcasing the State’s diverse tourism offerings and initiatives was also screened.
Giving a major impetus to community-led tourism and grassroots entrepreneurship, the Department of Tourism signed an MoU with the State Bank of India (SBI) for extending financial support to homestays.
In a significant step towards expanding adventure tourism in Odisha, the Department of Tourism signed an MoU with the Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association.
A virtual flag-off of the OTDC EV Boat at Barkul and the Catamaran by Swosti at Chilika Lake was held during the programme. The initiatives mark an important addition to visitor experiences and mobility solutions at Chilika, one of Odisha’s most prominent tourism destinations.
Further strengthening the institutional framework for heritage tourism, an MoU was signed between the Department of Tourism and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting India’s rich heritage assets as an integral part of the tourism experience.
Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP, also virtually addressed the gathering and shared an international development perspective on tourism initiatives.
In the event, Provisional Registration Certificates (PRCs) were distributed to 176 beneficiaries under the Homestay Scheme, marking another step towards expanding community participation in tourism and creating livelihood opportunities through accommodation and experiential tourism.
LTO/RTS were also distributed to Adventure Tour Operators, further supporting the development and formalisation of adventure tourism activities in the State. The World Tourism Day celebrations also showcased Odisha’s focus on developing sustainable and innovative tourism experiences.
In keeping with the theme of World Tourism Day 2026, a dedicated video on “Redesigning Tourism with Digital Innovation” was showcased during the programme.
The presentation highlighted the growing role of digital technologies in transforming the way destinations are discovered, tourism services are accessed and visitor experiences are designed and delivered.
Recognising the importance of capacity building for ensuring quality tourism experiences, a Capacity Building Workshop for Homestay Owners was organised as part of the World Tourism Day programme.
The workshop focused on strengthening the capabilities of homestay operators and supporting them in delivering quality, authentic and visitor-friendly experiences.
It was followed by a Sensitization Workshop on the Ethnic Tourism Initiative, aimed at generating greater awareness and participation around community-based and ethnic tourism opportunities.
Through the World Tourism Day 2026 celebrations, Odisha Tourism reaffirmed its commitment to building a tourism ecosystem that brings together technology, digital innovation, heritage, sustainability, investment, entrepreneurship and community participation.
Addressing the crowd Commissioner cum Secretary of Department of Tourism, Balwant Singh mentioned the initiatives unveiled during the celebrations underline Odisha’s efforts to create new and diverse visitor experiences while strengthening local entrepreneurship, institutional partnerships and community participation for inclusive and sustainable tourism growth.
The day-long World Tourism Day celebrations will culminate with the formal inauguration of the Light & Sound Show at Khandagiri by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida.
The Chief Guest and invited guests will experience the newly inaugurated show, bringing the celebrations to a close with an initiative designed to present Odisha’s heritage through an engaging visitor experience.
The Light & Sound Show will add a new dimension to the tourism experience at the historic site by combining heritage interpretation with technology and immersive storytelling.
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