Bhubaneswar, October 4: Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida on Sunday inaugurated the Odisha MICE Incentive Portal, making Odisha the first State in the country to establish a dedicated digital mechanism to market its destinations for corporate conventions and streamline financial incentive applications from event organisers, prospective investors and tourism operators.

The Deputy CM unveiled the initiative during a roundtable discussion titled Inputs on Creating Robust MICE Policy for Odisha and Collaborations at Mayfair Sanctuary. The Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), convened the discussion.

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Organised as part of the Odisha Travel Bazaar 2026, the high-level meeting brought together senior administrative officials, industry leaders and key stakeholders to deliberate on expanding the states ecosystem for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).

Addressing the delegates, Deputy CM Parida said that the administrations regulatory frameworks and incentives remain fully transparent, serving to empower commercial partners as direct drivers of the State’s economic expansion.

Emphasising the Government's resolve to expedite approvals across MICE segments, destination weddings, sports events and cultural heritage ventures, she underscored the administrations hands-on approach.

Tourism Secretary Balwant Singh delivered a presentation on the Odisha Tourism Investment Policy, outlining concrete commercial opportunities across the State.

Taking the stage on the experience economy, Sabbas Joseph, Co-Founder of Wizcraft Group and Chair of the FICCI MICE Tourism Committee, presented an industry blueprint on leveraging Odishas cultural capital. He outlined practical models to blend local customs, artisan traditions, and culinary identity into modern corporate conferences and hospitality programs.

Celebrity Chef and Official Brand Ambassador for Odia Cuisine, Ranveer Brar, focused on cultural authenticity as the defining foundation of the State's global reputation.

He observed that high-end travel is increasingly defined by rarity, cultural integrity, and distinct memories rather than sheer expenditure, calling for a comprehensive 100-day mapping campaign to record not just physical event spaces, but local storytellers, recipes, cooks, markets and regional festivals.