Tourism Minister Ashwini Kumar Patra flagged off the superbike rally, Kalinga Rides, near Hotel Sandy’s Tower in the capital city here.
Among others, twin city Police Commissioner Saumendra Priyadarshi, BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange and Additional Commissioner Suryawanshi Mayur were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Tourism Minister encouraged all stakeholders, including entrepreneurs and local communities, to join hands for promoting sustainable tourism. “Odisha is known not only for its natural beauty but also for the authenticity of its tourism experiences. Let us continue to work together to make Odisha a world-class destination under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The Odisha Tourism juggernaut has rolled and tourism sector is seeing a massive transformation in the state,” he said.
Tourism Director Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav said super bikers have been an integral part of the tourism ecosystem in Odisha. “The ‘Odisha by Road’ campaign was launched 3 years ago with the intention of welcoming more and more riders to the state. Super bikers have been an integral part of the tourism ecosystem in the state and they have been working tirelessly as ambassadors of Odisha Tourism,” said Jadhav.
At least 150 riders, under the banner of ‘Odisha Super Riders’, participated in the rally that concluded at Silver City Boat Club in Cuttack.
At the valedictory ceremony, the Tourism Director read out a special message sent by the Chief Minister to highlight the initiatives introduced by the state government to promote sustainable tourism in Odisha.
“Our flagship project, Eco-Retreat Odisha is a highly successful zero-waste glamping product that ensures tourists can explore nature’s beauty and engage in vivid experiences, in the most sustainable manner. The glamping event is organized every year at lesser-explored exotic destinations to promote local tourism and biodiversity,” said the Chief Minister in his message.
Participating in the event, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said, “The city of Cuttack is renowned for its rich history and heritage and is a major pivot in the tourism map of Odisha. I thank the Tourism department and OTDC for their efforts towards the holistic development of Tourism in the millennium city. Destinations like the redeveloped Silver City Boat Club and the ‘Byanjana’ Food Court and the water sports zone at Taladanda Canal front which have been recently inaugurated by the Chief Minister will serve as great avenues for recreational tourism for the residents of Silver City.”
Barabati-Cuttack MLA Md. Moquim, Choudwar-Cuttack MLA Sauvic Biswal, Cuttack Mayor Subhash Singh, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Anil Samal, Cuttack Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani, OTDC Chairman Lenin Mohanty, Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana Advisor Durga Samantaray and Odisha Super Riders convener Devjyoti Patnaik were present on the occasion.
Members of the Odisha Super Riders community and winners of the Bloggers Contest 2023, organised by the Odisha Tourism, were felicitated on the occasion.
A six-day food festival, jointly organised by the Tourism department and the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), was inaugurated at the Silver City Boat Club on the occasion.
To mark the occasion, a cultural event was also organised by the Tourism department at Bhanja Kala Mandap in the capital city here. Officials of the Tourism department staged play ‘Nistabdha Sahanai’ during the event.
The Cultural Evening was inaugurated by the Tourism Minister in presence of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) Director Prasanna Pradhan, ASI Bhubaneswar superintending archaeologist Sushanta Kumar Kar and senior officials among others. The annual magazine of the Tourism department, ‘Paribrajaka’, was also released on the occasion.
]]>The event was a big hit with participation of more than 900 people of odisha origin.
The event showcased the transformation taking place in Odisha and how the diaspora can contribute even more to the cause.
Consul General, Minister Electronics & IT and the entire high power delegation from State participated and hosted the odia communities.
There was immense enthusiasm among the youngsters of Diaspora to learn more about Odisha. They were keen to join the transformational journey of Odisha in any possible way they can.
]]>Post the interactive B2B and B2G sessions between the stakeholders of both the countries, Director Tourism Shri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav delivered a presentation on Odisha Tourism’s initiatives combining Odisha’s rich history, culture and natural heritage with sustainable tourism products that have been attracting tourists from across the globe. Highlighting Odisha’s ancient maritime connection with Thailand (formerly Siam), he touched upon various tourism products Odisha has on offer to attract Thai tourists. Promoting direct flight connectivity between Bangkok and Bhubaneswar, he said, “I welcome the tourism industry stakeholders in Thailand to explore Odisha, and our stakeholders from Odisha to explore the best of Thailand. I am sure your experience will turn you into brand ambassadors of the respective countries and aid in boosting the role tourism plays in supporting the economy in both the destinations.”
Ambassador of India to Thailand His Excellency Mr. Nagesh Singh delivered the keynote address by lauding the strategic steps taken by the Govt. of Odisha in promoting tourism. “This networking event will open more avenues for bilateral trade relations between the two regions. The many offerings of Odisha Tourism will surely attract people here in Thailand to visit India’s best kept secret with the newly launched direct flights ensuring minimal travel time”, he said.
Vice President, Tourism Council of Thailand, Mrs. Somsong Sachaphimukh and Customer Service Supervisor Indigo Airlines Ms. Prapaporn Junmuenwai addressed the gathering which set the tone for a panel discussion among industry leaders from India and Thailand. First Secretary (Economic & Commerce), Indian Embassy in Thailand Mr. Dharmendra Singh led the special panel discussion on the theme ‘Tourism Potential in Odisha’ which boasted of panelists from various domains representing MICE, Luxury Cruises and Houseboats, Heritage Palaces and Hospitality and Destination Management Companies.
Director Belgadia Palace Mrinalika Bhanj Deo, Managing Director Vikash Eco Resorts Srinivas Valluri, CMD Swosti Group J.K. Mohanty, Secretary Odisha Tour Operators Association Yugabrata Kar, President Mayfair Hotels and Resorts Manoj Gouda and Head PMU Odisha Tourism Lokesh Kumar were the other members in the panel. OSD Tourism Ansuman Rath delivered the Vote of Thanks.
With an aim to establish Odisha as a tourist friendly destination in the global scene, Odisha Tourism is currently focusing on strategic master planning and development of priority destinations in the State. Concerted efforts to expand the spectrum of tourism are being made that would appeal to all types of travellers, be it a backpacker or a high-end spender, giving them an opportunity to shift from mass tourism destinations to less-explored places. Niche tourism offerings such as houseboat and cruise tourism, camping, homestays, caravan tourism, culinary tourism and a lot more products are being rolled out to attract visitors. Similar roadshows have been planned to be held in various source markets in Asia that’ll make use of the direct flight services to Bhubaneswar from Bangkok, with the next Odisha Tourism Roadshow scheduled in Hanoi, Vietnam on 28th July 2023.
]]>Devotees from Sambalpur can board a Volvo bus of the tourism corporation from Sambalpur Panthanivas at 9 pm on June 30. They will arrive in Bhubaneswar Panthanivas the next day and board another Volvo bus for Puri after breakfast to witness the Rath Yatra on July 1. They will leave Puri on the same day in a special bus for Bhubaneswar Panthanivas. The bus for Sambalpur will depart at 10 pm.
The OTDC’s tour packages for those leaving from Sambalpur Panthanivas, Bhubaneswar Panthanivas and Puri Panthanivas are priced at Rs 8,300, Rs 5,800 and Rs 5,000 per person respectively.
According to OTDC, tea, breakfast and lunch will be provided to the persons availing special tour packages. For further information on the Ratha Yatra tour package and booking people can visit www.panthanivas.com, it added
By Nilanchal Naik
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