State launches India’s first dedicated MICE incentive portal; Government promises quicker approvals, targeted subsidies

 

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 4, 2026

The Odisha Government will expedite approvals for projects in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector, destination weddings, sports events and cultural heritage ventures, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said on Sunday, assuring investors that administrative bottlenecks would be removed and targeted capital subsidies considered to facilitate tourism-led investment.

 “Our dedicated tourism team works tirelessly to actively reach out, follow up and facilitate project approvals, ensuring a seamless journey for investors and representing the changing face of a progressive Odisha,” Parida said.

She was speaking at a high-level roundtable on “Inputs on Creating Robust MICE Policy for Odisha and Collaborations”, organised by the Department of Tourism in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Mayfair Sanctuary here as part of the Odisha Travel Bazaar 2026.

The Deputy Chief Minister also inaugurated the Odisha MICE Incentive Portal, described by the State as India’s first dedicated digital mechanism for promoting destinations for corporate conventions and facilitating financial incentive applications by event organisers, prospective investors and tourism operators.

Parida said the State’s regulatory frameworks and incentives were transparent and intended to enable private-sector partners to contribute to Odisha’s economic expansion. She invited industry stakeholders to submit recommendations and assured them that the Government would examine their proposals and work to resolve administrative constraints.

Highlighting the growing domestic market for destination ceremonies and immersive travel, Parida said Odisha could tap into the emerging preference for culturally rooted experiences, including temple weddings.

Bhubaneswar, widely known as the Temple City and home to thousands of protected historical monuments, could offer distinctive settings for weddings and other events, particularly for younger travellers, she said.

The State’s Buddhist heritage, expansive coastline and relatively unexplored landscapes could similarly be leveraged for corporate gatherings and incentive travel. Scenic locations, regional culinary experiences and cultural trails, she added, could help create more distinctive event offerings.

Tourism Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Balwant Singh, in a presentation on the Odisha Tourism Investment Policy, outlined investment opportunities across the State. He said the policy framework offered targeted support for heritage, sports and business events and was backed by investor outreach and expedited project clearances.

Industry representatives at the roundtable said Odisha’s tourism proposition extended well beyond conventional sightseeing, with its temples, Buddhist circuits, beaches, indigenous arts and culinary traditions offering scope for innovative MICE and experiential tourism products.

Sabbas Joseph, co-founder of Wizcraft Group and Chair of the FICCI MICE Tourism Committee, presented an industry blueprint for using Odisha’s cultural capital to build an experience-driven MICE ecosystem. He suggested integrating local customs, artisan traditions and culinary identity into corporate conferences and hospitality programmes.

Celebrity chef and official Brand Ambassador for Odia Cuisine Ranveer Brar said cultural authenticity would be crucial to Odisha’s positioning in the high-end tourism market.

He said premium travel was increasingly being defined by rarity, cultural integrity and memorable experiences rather than expenditure alone. Mr. Brar proposed a 100-day mapping campaign to identify not only event venues but also local storytellers, traditional recipes, cooks, markets and regional festivals.

These cultural elements, he said, should be treated as the core of the visitor experience rather than as supplementary attractions. He also called for greater direct engagement with indigenous artisans and suggested language and interpretation services to help local practitioners present their traditions without compromising their cultural identity.

The roundtable brought together senior Government officials, industry leaders and other stakeholders to discuss infrastructure, professional service standards and operational guidelines required to attract national and international conventions, incentive tours and experiential festivals to Odisha.

Director of Tourism Deepankar Mohapatra welcomed the participants and outlined the agenda for the deliberations. The session concluded with remarks by FICCI Tourism Committee Co-Chairperson and Swosti Group CMD J.K. Mohanty, who reiterated the tourism department’s efforts to position Odisha as a destination for business conventions and experiential travel.