HRAO seeks better infrastructure; emphasis on digital marketing to promote Odisha Tourism

The state tourism budget spending on technology, social media, and interactive website development should be at least 20 percent, and the main thrust for tourism marketing

J K Mohanty presenting the memento to the Hon’ble Governor of Odisha H. E. Ganeshi Lal
While speaking at the outset of 3rd Odisha Tourism Conclave organised in Bhubaneswar Chairman of Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) – an apex body of hoteliers in the state, J K Mohanty made several recommendations to the state government to expedite the sluggish growth of tourism and hospitality sector in the state.
Odisha’s Governor H. E. Ganeshi Lal inaugurated the Conclave and said any tourist would be impressed by the rich tourism potential of Odisha.
After deep deliberations, a host of ideas and suggestions came forward which will be compiled in a document and handover to the government. Some of the key recommendations are development adequate tourism infrastructure, improvement of air connectivity, vibrant marketing and promotional campaigns through road shows and social media platforms.
“Good quality accommodations, roads, railways and airports are required to make destinations accessible to the tourist. The state government should monitor that the resources earmarked for infrastructure creation are channelize properly,” says Mohanty.
He further pointed out that the subsidies declared in the tourism policy is valid up to 2020 but the new guidelines to implement the subsidies have made the policy un-implementable  and the policy expires in 2020 and not a single hotel will get any subsidy.
“We strongly recommend the Government to extend the policy for another five years to allow hotels to come up in the state. We need to add at least 5000 more star category hotel rooms in important tourist locations of the state to be able to attract good quality tourist to help our state economy.”
Also, emphasis should be given on skill development of available human resources to cater to the needs of foreign tourists. He pointed out that Odisha lacks good quality tourist guides, especially in foreign languages like French, German, Chinese, Italian and Spanish.
Elaborating on the importance of technology HRAO’s Chairman said that most of the millennial travellers spend more than 50 percent of their time online, looking at the content on their mobile phones. Social media platforms like facebook, twitter, linkedin, instagram and youtube etc. are powerful tool in the tourism sector.
“The state tourism budget spending on technology, social media, and interactive website development should be the main thrust for tourism marketing. Tour operators and independent hoteliers cannot spend so much on technology as the government can.”
According to him, the department of tourism should focus on research to appropriately promoting the tourist destinations. Before making any video film an extensive research is required to find out the USP of the place. Also, while making such promotional materials the travel trade should be considered for their suggestions.
He emphasized that the flight which used to be operated between Bhubaneshwar –Bangkok must be resumed as there is a huge demand and non-availability of flight is a huge loss the state economy.
State Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, State Tourism Secretary Vishal Dev and State Home Secretary Asit Tripathy attended the conclave.
  Key Recommendations Made by HRAO
  • To spend at least 20 percent of tourism budget on digital marketing, technology and social media to promote brand Odisha
  • To appoint a separate digital marketing team to sell and promote Odisha Tourism
  • State needs to have promotional materials on MICE and Medical Tourism
  • Ownership of the beaches must be decided because the cleanliness at Puri, Chandipur and Gopalpur is lacking
  • Shamuka Beach project which is pending for last 20 years must come fast
  • Frequent change of officers at the secretary and director level is another hindrance in the growth. This is hampering the continued growth in the tourism sector of the state
  • The logo of Odisha tourism should be replaced which matched to the temples, beaches and culture of the state
  • There should be more classified hotels in the state. Single window clearance for hotel projects is required
  • Develop innovative and unique tourism products other than the traditional
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