Odisha Tourism gets Patwa International Award at ITB, Berlin 2014

In ITB Berlin, Odisha Tourism has put up a beautiful stall, which was inaugurated by the Additional Secretary to the Govt. of India, Ministry of Tourism Mr. Girish Shankar and Mrs Roma Singh, Regional Director India Tourism, Frankfurt on 5th March morning. Mr. M.R. Patnaik, Director, Tourism along with Mr. S.K. Pati and Shri S.S. Rath, Tourist Officer, Odisha Tourism were present at the time of inauguration of Odisha Tourism pavilion. Tour operators from Odisha like M/s Alternative Tours Pvt. Ltd, M/s Toshali International and M/s Eastern Voyages also attended the event.

Odisha Tourism has bagged an award for the Best Relaxation Culture & Beaches Destination from the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA). The award was received by Shri M.R Patnaik, Director Tourism Odisha in a glittering ceremony. This is a prestigious international award received by Odisha Tourism in ITB Berlin.

The award was received in presence of the Secretary General, UNWTO, CEO PATA, Minister Tourism Egypt, Minister Tourism and Culture Seychelles, President, International Hotel and Restaurant Association and Secretary General, PATWA. Odisha Tourism is expected to receive more response in the events from the other countries in the coming days.

Karnataka Govt urged to promote coastal tourism

A meeting on tourism development in Dakshina Kannada district has stressed on the need for marketing coastal Karnataka as a tourism destination. JR Lobo, MLA of Mangalore (South), said coastal Karnataka should be marketed as a tourism destination the way Bangalore was developed as an IT destination. The Karnataka Government has to give more thrust on developing coastal tourism, and a dedicated cell should be formed for this purpose. Lobo said that the Coastal Development Authority, set up by the State Government, should take active role in the development of tourism in the region.

Yatish Baikampady, CEO of Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project, focussed on the need to set short-term, medium-term and long-term goals for the comprehensive development of tourism in coastal Karnataka. Giving the examples of various activities of tourism attraction and festivals in the region, he said there is a need to come out with a calendar of events to popularise them to the world.

U. Jithendranath, Assistant Director of Karnataka Tourism Department, said that 36 works related to tourism development have been sanctioned to the district. Of them, 10 works have already been completed. Another 14 works are in various stages of implementation, and 12 projects are yet to be taken up, he said.