Bhubaneswar: In a bid to accelerate infrastructure development and position Odisha as a leading global travel destination, a high-level stakeholder consultation meeting on the Tourism Land Bank was convened under the chairmanship of Shri Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism.
The meeting saw active participation from Shri Deepankar Mohapatra, Director Tourism and Managing Director of the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, alongside senior officials from the Tourism Department, General Administration and Public Grievances Department, Revenue Department, and the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited.
The primary objective of the consultation was to streamline the identification, consolidation, and systematic development of prime land parcels across Odisha.
Under the active leadership of Shri Balwant Singh, the Tourism Department is pushing an aggressive strategy to build a robust inventory of land dedicated strictly to hospitality, eco-tourism, and experiential travel infrastructure. By coordinating directly with revenue and investment bodies, the state aims to eliminate land acquisition hurdles, enabling private investors and hotel chains to launch world-class projects efficiently.
This dedicated drive is part of a broader vision to transform Odisha from a hidden gem into a globally recognized tourism hub. To achieve this, the state government has undertaken several strategic initiatives to capture the interest of travelers across India and abroad.
Odisha is heavily promoting its vast coastal belt through glamping festivals like Eco Retreat, which offer luxury tented accommodations in scenic, ecologically sensitive regions such as Konark, Satapada, Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi, and Hirakud. This eco-friendly model allows international and domestic visitors to experience raw nature without compromising on modern amenities.
Alongside luxury eco-tourism, the state is making substantial investments in upgrading heritage and spiritual corridors. Major re-development work around iconic sites, such as Shree Jagannatha Temple in Puri, Lord Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar and the Sun Temple in Konark, focuses on enhancing visitor amenities, pedestrian access, and cultural preservation. Additionally, Odisha is tapping into niche travel markets by showcasing its rich tribal heritage, traditional handicrafts, ancient Buddhist circuits, and pristine wildlife sanctuaries.
To build global brand equity, Odisha Tourism has actively engaged in international travel fairs, roadshows, and strategic marketing campaigns centered around the tagline Eco-Retreat and India’s Best Kept Secret. Parallelly, the state has positioned itself as a world-class sports tourism hub by hosting major international sports tournaments in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, drawing global audiences and boosting tourism revenue.
Through inter-departmental synergy, proactive investment policies, and aggressive destination branding, Odisha continues to set a benchmark in sustainable and high-value tourism development.