Atithi Devo Bhubaneswar from Friday

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar: Preparations are almost complete for the 50th annual convention of Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) scheduled to be held here from September 25 to 27.Named Atithi Devo Bhubaneswar, FHRAI 50 is being held with the slogan `shaping the future, celebrating the past’.Odisha Tourism has also joined FHRAI as partners of the event.Slated to be one of the biggest events in hospitality and tourism sector in India, this high profile event is all set to witness participation of more than 800 delegates representing top echelons of the hospitality and tourism industry in India, leading hoteliers and other stakeholders in the industry.The Golden Jubilee Convention will start with unveiling of Odisha 3D Map at the Biju Patnaik Airport by Tourism Minister of Odisha Ashok Chandra Panda on the inaugural day.The first technical session ‘Atithi Devo Bhava: The legacy continues’ of the golden jubilee convention will commence in the afternoon and will be inaugurated by Chief Secretary of Odisha. The second session of the day will deliberate upon the crucial aspect of ‘Taxation in Indian Hospitality Industry-Challenges and Solutions’.The formal inauguration ceremony of the three-day convention will be attended by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as the Chief Guest along with Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma and other dignitaries.A special handicraft exhibition ‘Pipili Bazaar’ showcasing rich handicraft products of Odisha will also be inaugurated during the occasion.The second day of the convention will have technical sessions on ‘Odisha Tourism – Opportunities Unlimited’, ‘Skill Development in Hospitality Industry’, Voice from the top, ‘Hotel Design – Futuristic Hotels’.Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy will be the guest speaker in the Skill Development technical session.Folk dances and cultural programs by well-known artistes from the state will be part of Odisha Day.Since a large number of entrepreneurs from hospitality industry will be present, Odisha Tourism will make a presentation showcasing the potential of Odisha and invite them to set up hospitality and tourism ventures in the state.CMD, IPICOL will address a special session on investment opportunities in Odisha.The concluding day of the convention will see one of its kind colourful extravaganza of ‘World Tourism Day Walk & Carnival’ in the morning, which will be followed by technical sessions on ‘Social media & Technology – Influence on Hospitality Business’ and another on ‘Restaurants of the future’ along with a dedicated session on the topic ‘Online portals – boon or bane’.The World Tourism Day Walk & Carnival will essentially be a cultural extravaganza with around 7–8 floats specially designed for this carnival on different themes related to tourism sector like World Tourism, Odisha Tourism, FHRAI and few others on different tourism related themes such as culture, wildlife, tribal life.Musical bands of Odisha police, Indian Navy along with around 15 Dance Troupes from across the country, hundreds of students in colourful attires along with bikers and vintage cars will be part of the entourage in this carnival.Consul Generals from four Countries France, Italy, USA and Thailand will be part of the carnival, which will be flagged off by Governor of Odisha S.C.Jamir.