Hotel Association of India welcomes Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy 2026. The amended policy reflects and reinforces HAI’s long-standing efforts to strengthen tourism policy frameworks in Odisha and across India. The policy will strengthen Odisha’s tourism infrastructure, attract new investments, create jobs, and improve the state’s competitiveness as a top tourism destination.
The Hotel Association of India (HAI) lauds the simplification of investment and expansion regulations, including a reduced minimum room requirement for 3-star and above hotels, and relaxed expansion rules. These changes will lower entry barriers and encourage new and existing hotels to grow in the state.
Additionally, the expansion of the special zones and the selective incentives announced for sustainable and experiential tourism, which focus on heritage properties, museums, electric mobility, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, demonstrate a clear commitment to regional and tourism sustainability.
HAI also believes that the formation of a State Tourism Advisory Council will further strengthen stakeholder engagement and policy implementation. The amended policy has the potential to attract considerable private investment, support the creation of an additional 15,000 hotel rooms by 2036, and large-scale employment, positioning Odisha as a competitive and future-ready tourism destination.
Applauding the Odisha Government’s decision, M.P. Bezbaruah, Secretary-General, Hotel Association of India (HAI), said, “The amended Odisha Tourism Policy reflects sustained industry engagement and the kind of forward-looking reforms HAI has consistently advocated. HAI had the opportunity to have a detailed discussion with the State Tourism Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida on many of these issues. By linking tourism growth with tribal inclusion, job creation and community development, the policy sets a strong precedent that can be replicated across states to strengthen India’s tourism and hospitality sector. HAI is grateful to its State Chapter launched in September 2024 and chaired by HAI’s Honorary Secretary Dr. J.K.Mohanty for constant follow-up on the subject which has been instrumental in yielding this positive development.”
