Bhubaneswar: Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida on Sunday called upon investors in the travel and tourism sector to explore Odisha for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), tourism and destination weddings.On the second day of the 7th Odisha Travel Bazaar, Parida launched a ‘MICE Incentive’ portal to facilitate applications for incentives for corporate conventions and tourism projects. She also said govt would support proposals related to destination weddings, sports events and cultural heritage. The portal will provide a digital platform for event organisers, investors and tourism operators to apply for financial incentives for MICE projects.Under Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy, 2026, the state has introduced a package of incentives aimed at developing Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip region as a MICE tourism hub. Parida said the govt would work to reduce delays in approvals and consider suggestions from the private sector. She also said targeted capital subsidies would be offered for eligible tourism projects.“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,” she said.Parida also identified destination weddings, particularly temple weddings, as an area with tourism potential. She said Bhubaneswar’s temples and heritage monuments could be incorporated into wedding experiences.The state’s Buddhist sites, coastline and natural landscapes, she said, could also be developed as venues for MICE events, with food trails, cultural experiences and local attractions forming part of itineraries for corporate groups.As the state looks to build tourism experiences around its cultural and culinary assets, celebrity chef and Odisha’s official brand ambassador for Odia cuisine Ranveer Brar called for a 100-day mapping exercise to document the state’s local food, storytellers, artisans, markets and festivals and integrate them into tourism experiences.Brar said cultural authenticity should be at the centre of Odisha’s efforts to attract high-end travellers, who, he said, increasingly seek rare and distinctive experiences rather than simply expensive ones.On promoting Odia cuisine globally, Brar said there were plans to identify 10 Odia dishes for documentation and promotion on the global culinary map.As many as 92 exhibitors and buyers from 27 countries are participating in Travel Bazaar. Tourism commissioner-cum-secretary Balwant Singh presented details of Odisha Tourism Investment Policy, including investment opportunities and incentives for projects in tourism, heritage, sports and business events. He said the state was ready to extend support to the industry.