Odisha marks World Tourism Day 2026 with new tourism partnerships, luxury coaches, electric water transport, homestay support and technology-driven heritage experiences
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Odisha government on Sunday rolled out a series of tourism initiatives, including luxury coaches, electric water transport, a light and sound show, and institutional partnerships, to mark World Tourism Day.
The Tourism Department signed three MoUs on the occasion—with the State Bank of India (SBI) to facilitate financial support for homestays, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to promote heritage tourism, and the Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association to expand adventure tourism in the state.
The state-level celebration at Lok Seva Bhawan, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, also witnessed the flag-off of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) luxury coaches aimed at improving tourist mobility and travel experiences.
An electric boat at Barkul and a catamaran operated by Swosti at Chilika Lake were also virtually inaugurated.
Parida stressed the need to integrate technology, sustainability, heritage, innovation, and community participation to strengthen Odisha’s tourism ecosystem.
“Tourism should generate livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities for local communities, enabling them to become active stakeholders in Odisha’s growth story,” she said.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg emphasised coordinated efforts, institutional partnerships, and innovation to develop the state’s tourism sector.
The celebrations were aligned with the World Tourism Day 2026 theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, highlighting the growing role of technology and digital solutions in creating accessible and future-ready tourism experiences.
As part of efforts to promote community-based tourism, provisional registration certificates were distributed to 176 beneficiaries under the Odisha Homestay Scheme. Licences and registrations were also distributed to adventure tour operators to formalise activities in the sector.
A capacity-building workshop for homestay owners focused on improving service quality and enabling operators to offer authentic and visitor-friendly experiences. A sensitisation workshop on the Ethnic Tourism Initiative was also organised to encourage greater participation in community-based and ethnic tourism.
ASI Director General Yadubir Singh Rawat underlined the importance of preserving and promoting heritage assets as an integral part of the tourism experience. UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Isabelle Tschan addressed the gathering virtually and shared an international development perspective on tourism initiatives.
An Odisha Tourism video showcasing the state’s tourism attractions and initiatives was screened during the event, along with a screening of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat.
The day-long celebrations concluded with Parida inaugurating a Light and Sound show at Khandagiri Hills. Using technology and immersive storytelling, the show presents the history and heritage of the ancient site to visitors.
Tourism Secretary Balwant Singh said the initiatives reflected the department’s efforts to create diverse visitor experiences while strengthening local entrepreneurship, institutional partnerships, and community participation for sustainable tourism growth.