In order to place Orissa on the tourism map of India, as well as globally, Orissa Tourism is planning to organise Orissa Travel Mart (OTM) this year. The proposed travel mart, according to Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister of Higher Education and Tourism, Government of Orissa, will be organised some time in August/September, this year. The Minister was speaking to Travel Biz Monitor on the sidelines of the interactive meeting organised by the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) in Delhi last week.
OTM will be an exclusive Orissa Tourism product, the Minister said when asked whether Orissa will be seeking partnership with other Eastern and North Eastern states of the country. However, Mishra informed that the state is working with West Bengal Tourism, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Confederation of Indian Industry in promoting destinations of the region jointly.
Conceding that there’s lack of awareness in the domestic market about Orissa’s tourism products and destinations, the Minister agreed to take corrective steps including a FAM for domestic tour operators this year. |