The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) has urged the Odisha government to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the development of 15 key tourist destinations and submit it to the Centre for support and funding. In a media statement, the association emphasised the need for structured, long-term planning to unlock the state’s tourism potential.
HRAO recommended that the government prepare short-term (annual) and long-term (four-year) projections of tourist footfall growth and assess the infrastructure requirements at major destinations accordingly. It also called for periodic reviews of these projections during meetings of the State Tourism Promotion Council to ensure timely course corrections and better policy implementation.
HRAO chairman JK Mohanty reiterated the demand to extend the Mahaparinirvan Express, which currently operates between New Delhi and Bodhgaya, up to Puri. He said the extension would significantly boost Buddhist tourism in Odisha and strengthen the state’s position on the Buddhist circuit. The association is also pushing for improved domestic flight connectivity between Odisha and key destinations such as Bodhgaya, Pune, Udaipur and Allahabad.
Additionally, HRAO has called for expediting the proposed international airport at Puri, envisioning it as a major aviation hub in eastern India. The association also requested the government to provide industrial electricity tariffs for hotels, both large and small, to support the hospitality sector’s growth.
Further, HRAO suggested appointing a prominent film actor or actress as Odisha’s tourism brand ambassador, simplifying provisions under the SARAI Act, and easing the process for obtaining fire licences. Mohanty noted that the association’s 40th foundation day will bring together industry leaders and policymakers to review progress and chart a roadmap for a sustainable and globally competitive tourism sector.
