Preparing Your Experience
The Movement Before Momentum
Before EKTTA was formed as an association, it was a spirit - a growing sense of unity among travel professionals in Odisha since 2008.
EKTTA Genesis represents the formative years when a handful of travel entrepreneurs and industry professionals began coming together through informal yet meaningful interactions. What started as friendly cricket matches, social picnics, and casual gatherings gradually evolved into something far more significant - a common platform for dialogue, collaboration, and shared ambition.
In its early phase, the focus was not governance or formal representation. It was about connection. Travel professionals who once operated independently began sharing ideas, discussing challenges, and discovering strength in collective thinking. The fraternity found common ground beyond competition – recognising that unity could create visibility and voice for the travel trade in Odisha. These gatherings nurtured trust, friendship, and mutual respect.
The Genesis phase soon extended beyond social bonding. A conscious shift began when Vietnam Tourism hosted Odisha's first-ever National Tourism Board roadshow in Bhubaneswar in 2016. That engagement marked an important inflection point. It demonstrated that global tourism boards could see promise in our market, and EKTTA encouraged others to follow.
Through these grassroots engagements, a deeper realization emerged: Collective growth was not optional – it was essential. The idea of structured representation began taking shape. Conversations shifted from casual exchanges to long-term vision.
While the activities of the Genesis phase are distinct from the structured initiatives organised under EKTTA Momentum, they remain the cornerstone of EKTTA’s identity. Momentum represents institutional action.
EKTTA Genesis stands as a reminder that every strong institution begins not with structure — but with shared purpose.