MDP on Hospitality and Marketing Skills for Managers of OTDC Concludes

Bhubaneswar, August 12: The five-day Management Development Programme on Hospitality and Marketing Skills for Managers and Assistant Managers of OTDC, organised by Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha in association with Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India concluded with the valedictory session on yesterday.

Prof. Annapurna Panda, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour was Prasant Panda, Company Secretary and Division Manager (Marketing),
Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), Bhubaneswar.

In his welcome address Dr. Md. Sabir Hussain, Nodal Officer and Head, IITTM welcomed all the guests present on dais and congratulated the participants on successful completion. He elaborated the outcome of the MDP and the significance of training. In her concluding remarks Dr. Adyasha Das, Coordinator MDP
presented a detailed report of the various sessions, interactive activities and study visits that were
components of the training programme.

Prasant Panda, Guest of Honour, spoke about the significant role of OTDC managers as CEO’s and brand ambassadors of their respective organizations. He emphasized the faith reposed in the OTDC team to play a pivotal role in the hospitality sector of the state.

Dr. Annapurna Pandey gave an eloquent address about how OTDC represented a home away from home for diaspora Indians. She gave several comparative examples about tourism and hospitality in the USA and India. The formal vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. B Swajan Assistant Professor and S. Pradhan, Assistant Professor, hosted the event. Certificates were distributed to all successful participants.