The Odisha government has launched what it describes as India’s first dedicated incentive portal for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), in a move aimed at attracting investment and strengthening business tourism in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida launched the portal at the Odisha Travel Bazaar 2026 in the presence of senior government officials and representatives from the tourism and travel industry.
The new digital platform is designed to position Odisha as a destination for corporate conventions while simplifying the process for event organisers and tourism operators to apply for financial incentives. The initiative is expected to make it easier for businesses to explore and organise large-scale events across the state.
MICE tourism encompasses organised travel for professional, commercial and networking purposes, including corporate meetings, conferences, exhibitions and incentive trips. The segment is considered an important component of the business tourism economy, generating demand for accommodation, transportation, hospitality, event management and other allied services.
The Odisha government expects the new portal to facilitate faster approvals for a range of events and tourism ventures, including MICE events, destination weddings, sports competitions and cultural heritage-related activities.
Destination weddings and experiential tourism have also emerged as key areas of focus under the state’s broader tourism strategy. Officials highlighted opportunities such as temple weddings, local cultural experiences and regional cuisine tours as potential attractions for visitors seeking distinctive travel experiences.
Bhubaneswar’s historical monuments and cultural heritage were also identified as potential venues and attractions for unique events. The combination of heritage sites, cultural experiences and modern hospitality infrastructure could help Odisha appeal particularly to younger travellers and event organisers.
The state government has further assured tourism industry representatives that recommendations from the private sector would be considered to address administrative bottlenecks and create a more conducive environment for investment.
Targeted capital subsidies are also expected to support investment in tourism-related projects and infrastructure. The government believes that a dedicated digital mechanism for MICE incentives can help make the process more transparent and efficient while encouraging greater participation from private-sector operators.
With the launch of the portal, Odisha is seeking to strengthen its business tourism ecosystem and establish itself as a competitive destination for corporate conventions, destination weddings, cultural events and other large-scale gatherings.
