States » EastPosted at: Oct 23 2026 3:26PM


HRAO calls for five-year tourism roadmap to transform Odisha into a global destination

Bhubaneswar, Oct 23 (UNI) Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) Chairman J. K. Mohanty has called for a comprehensive strategy to strengthen connectivity, upgrade tourism infrastructure, attract fresh investment and improve destination management to position Odisha as a leading domestic and international tourism destination.
Addressing the 7th Odisha Tourism Conclave on Friday, Mohanty proposed the constitution of a joint government-industry task force to prepare a time-bound five-year action plan covering investment, connectivity, destination development and tourism promotion.
He also urged the state government to prepare comprehensive master plans for priority tourism circuits, specifying responsibilities, infrastructure requirements and implementation schedules.
Emphasising that connectivity remains one of the biggest constraints on Odisha's tourism growth, Mohanty said the state must work closely with airlines and airport authorities to strengthen domestic air services and establish sustainable international connections.
Bhubaneswar, he said, needs higher flight frequencies to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow and Varanasi, wherever commercially viable. HRAO also called for the restoration of discontinued air services to Jaipur, Indore, Bagdogra, Goa, Dehradun and Kochi.
He further stressed the need to strengthen Jeypore and Jharsuguda airports to improve access to southern, western and northern Odisha.
“We must prioritise sustainable direct international flights from Bhubaneswar to Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai, supported by market studies, airline partnerships and joint destination promotion,” Mohanty said.
He also advocated stronger engagement with overseas tour operators, travel agents, online travel platforms and international tourism organisations to integrate Odisha into established travel itineraries covering Kolkata, Varanasi, Bodh Gaya and other major destinations.
Odisha, he said, possesses exceptional natural attractions, a rich cultural heritage, a strong hospitality tradition and an increasingly supportive policy environment. The challenge is to convert these advantages into well-connected, professionally managed and internationally recognised tourism experiences.
“We should develop attractive seven-night, 14-night and 21-night itineraries combining spirituality, heritage, wildlife, nature, beaches, culture, cuisine, wellness and adventure,” he said.
Mohanty highlighted the state's extensive coastline, tribal traditions, Odissi dance, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine and festivals as important assets that could help Odisha appeal to a wider range of domestic and international travellers.
He also emphasised the need to protect forests, lakes, beaches and wildlife habitats, stating that tourism development must generate prosperity without compromising the state's natural heritage.
Referring to the Ministry of Tourism's India Tourism Statistics 2026, Mohanty said India recorded approximately 428.55 crore domestic tourist movements and 2.53 crore foreign tourist visits in 2025. Odisha, however, recorded approximately 1.28 crore domestic tourist visits and 62,115 foreign tourist visits, according to the figures cited.
The leading states and destinations for foreign tourist visits included Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, with around 45 lakh visits each, followed by West Bengal with 40 lakh, Delhi with 24 lakh and Gujarat with 23 lakh. Together, these destinations accounted for approximately 70.3 per cent of foreign tourist visits.
“Odisha's share remains small despite its extraordinary tourism assets,” Mohanty observed.
He said the state needs sustained international marketing, stronger air connectivity, better visitor facilities and professionally designed tourism products to improve its position in the national and international tourism market.
The HRAO Chairman called for investment to be spread across northern, western and southern Odisha rather than concentrated in established tourism centres.
According to Mohanty, the Bhubaneswar–Puri–Konark Golden Triangle will remain the foundation of Odisha tourism, but it must be supported by well-developed circuits covering Chilika, Gopalpur, Buddhist heritage sites, Bhitarkanika, Similipal, Satkosia, Debrigarh, Hirakud, Koraput and Deomali.
Highlighting the potential for large-scale tourism infrastructure, Mohanty recalled that HRAO had proposed the development of a world-class mega theme park at Samuka Beach in partnership with global operators such as Disney or Universal Studios under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
He said an integrated tourism city featuring premium hotels, a convention centre, shopping facilities, entertainment attractions and sustainable infrastructure could transform the region into a major tourism and investment hub.
Mohanty also referred to the Deputy Chief Minister's announcement that around 1,500 acres at Samuka Beach had been identified for an international airport and cruise terminal.
Coordinated planning for these proposed developments could attract international investment, generate employment opportunities, strengthen regional connectivity and encourage visitors to stay longer in Odisha, he added.
UNI DP
Tags: #HRAO calls for five-year tourism roadmap to transform Odisha into a global destination
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