Quality accomodation, skilled manpower, robust digital marketing, need of the hour

While hospitality sector in Odisha has shown remarkable resilience after the pandemic, several key factors such as expansion of quality accommodation in lesser-explored destinations, improving last-mile connectivity, and enhancing skill development for hospitality staff coupled with robust digital marketing is need of the hour, says, J K Mohanty, CMD, Swosti Group.

He expects that upcoming IATO Convention to showcase Odisha’s evolved tourism offerings to top travel operators from across India to take Odisha tourism to the next level. Read more:

Highlights

• The luxury category inventory is still limited at tourist hotspots such as Chilika, Gopalpur, Bhitarkanika, and tribal regions.

• More robust digital marketing push highlighting Odisha’s unique experiences can create a stronger global presence.

• Hotel inventory in Odisha has grown with several branded hotels entering the market.

Q&A

Q1. To start with, how has been the growth of hospitality sector in Odisha after 2020?

Ans: The hospitality sector in Odisha has shown remarkable resilience after the pandemic. Domestic tourism has surged significantly, with travellers discovering Odisha’s beaches, heritage sites, wildlife sanctuaries, and tribal culture. The state has been aggressively promoting MICE tourism, spiritual tourism, and experiential travel. Improved connectivity through better road, rail, and air links has further supported growth, making Odisha a sought-after destination post-2020.

Q2. Has it reached to its full potential or still there’s a room for improvement?

Ans: While Odisha has made impressive progress, the state’s tourism potential is far from fully tapped. We have a rich blend of natural beauty, culture, and history that can attract both domestic and international tourists year-round. With more international marketing, better infrastructure, and strategic collaborations, Odisha can easily compete with India’s top tourism destinations.

Q3. Would you like to throw some light on the inventory status in the state? Is it enough to cater business and leisure travellers?

Ans: Hotel inventory in Odisha has grown with several branded hotels entering the market. However, in many tourist hotspots such as Chilika, Gopalpur, Bhitarkanika, and tribal regions, the luxury category inventory is still limited. With increasing tourist arrivals, both business and leisure, there is an urgent need for more good quality rooms in these emerging locations.

Q4. According to you which are the grey areas in Odisha’s hospitality sector that need improvement on urgent basis?

Ans: Key areas include expanding quality accommodation in lesser-explored destinations, improving last-mile connectivity, and enhancing skill development for hospitality staff. Additionally, a more robust digital marketing push highlighting Odisha’s unique experiences can create a stronger global presence.

Q5. As a hotelier, how do you find the investment opportunities in the state? Is it investment friendly, what are the benefits for investors?

Ans: Odisha offers excellent investment potential in tourism and hospitality sector. The government’s proactive industrial and tourism policies, along with incentives like land at concessional rates, subsidies, and single-window clearance, make it investor-friendly. With growing tourist inflow, new convention centres, and major events like the Hockey World Cup, the return on investment is promising.

Q6. Are the industry stakeholders getting their due support from the state govt? Is there any proposal with the govt in development pipeline?

Ans: The State Government has been supportive through various tourism promotion initiatives and infrastructure projects. Industry stakeholders have regular dialogues with the government, and several proposals for eco-resorts, heritage hotels, and MICE infrastructure are in the pipeline, which will further boost tourism in the coming years.

Q7. What is your expectation from the upcoming IATO Convention? What major changes have you noticed after IATO Conventions in 2008 and 2017?

Ans: I expect the upcoming IATO Convention to showcase Odisha’s evolved tourism offerings to top travel operators from across India. The earlier conventions in 2008 and 2017 brought national attention to Odisha, resulting in increased tour itineraries featuring the state. Since then, infrastructure, hotel inventory, and promotional campaigns have all improved, and this year’s convention will take Odisha’s tourism brand to the next level