Odisha: Odisha Tourism has received two important national-level awards at the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2026 held in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. This achievement is being seen as a major success for the state’s tourism sector. Odisha Tourism was awarded the Travel and Tourism Excellence Award 2026 for its “outstanding contribution to tourism development.” This recognition recognizes the state’s continued efforts to strengthen tourism infrastructure, enhance policy support, and promote tourist destinations.
In addition, Odisha Tourism also received the “Best Stall in the Public Sector Category” award. This award was given in recognition of the pavilion’s attractive design, innovative presentation style, and experiential storytelling. Odisha’s stall was a major attraction among visitors at the event.
Odisha Tourism established a strong and strategic presence at the event, further strengthening the state’s position as a promising global tourist destination. A delegation of 11 co-exhibitors from Odisha also participated in the event, including tour operators, hospitality sector stakeholders, and various tourism service providers. Together, they showcased the diverse and ready market potential of the state’s tourism sector.
The Odisha pavilion was one of the most attractive stalls at the event, attracting significant attention from international buyers, foreign tour operators (FTOs), and destination management companies (DMCs). Visitors expressed keen interest in Odisha’s cultural diversity and tourism potential.
During the event, Odisha Tourism organized over 120 focused G2B (Government to Business) meetings and strategic networking sessions. The state showcased its wide range of tourism products, including heritage tourism, spiritual tourism, beach tourism, eco-tourism, and experiential tourism.
According to state officials, participation in such an international platform will help Odisha strengthen its position in the global tourism market. It will also open up new investment and partnership opportunities.
This achievement by Odisha Tourism is being considered a significant step for the state’s tourism sector, which is expected to further accelerate tourism development in the future.
