Bhubaneswar: Envisioning to put Odisha as a major spot on the country’s tourism map, the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) has called to transform the state into a ‘21-Night Tourism Destination’. The vision was put forth at the 7th Odisha Tourism Conclave, held at Swosti Premium Hotel, here Friday. The conclave was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister, Pravati Parida in the presence of Chief Secretary, Anu Garg; MLA, Ekamra, Bhubaneswar, Babu Singh; senior government officials; distinguished industry leaders; and members of the tourism and hospitality fraternity. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary, Anu Garg said, “Tourism in Odisha is set to expand in the coming years. For the state government, tourism is one of the major visions of development and we aim to add around 15,000 hotel rooms by 2036.”
Deputy CM, Pravati Parida remarked that tourism was not a department but a convergence. “We want horizontal and vertical growth in the growing tourism sector of the state.” Parida also released a book ‘Odisha Tourism 2036’ by Sisir Sahoo. HRAO Chairman, J. K. Mohanty said, “I present an ambitious vision to trans form Odisha into a ‘21-Night Tourism Destination. ‘Longer stays mean greater hotel occupancy, higher visitor expenditure, more business for tour operators, transport providers, guides, artisans and local communities. As Odisha aims to add around 15,000 hotel rooms across leading hotels in the state by 2036, I urge the government to promote more hotel management institutes & hospitality training centres through incentives and industry-academia partnerships.” “The proposed 15,000 rooms could require approximately 45,000 skilled personnel, assuming three employees per room. It would help create a skilled workforce for the growing tourism and hospitality sector while opening up better career and employment opportunities for rural youth”, he added.
Mohanty also stressed that Odisha has the attractions, culture, hospitality tradition and an increasingly supportive policy environment. “What we need now is stronger connectivity, better infrastructure, greater investment, professional destination management and sustained international promotion,” he added.
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