Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) to host its annual Odisha Tourism Conclave on 25 June 2025
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) announced the hosting of its 6th edition of the Odisha Tourism Conclave on 25 June 2025. The full day event, an annual strategic program of HRAO, to be held at the Hotel Swosti Premium, Bhubaneswar has lined up a series of technical sessions.
The conclave aims to create a strategic roadmap to position Odisha as a premier destination on India’s tourism map, aligning with the vision of a “Viksit Odisha.”
The one-day event will bring together industry experts, stakeholders, and government officials to deliberate on a multi-faceted approach to developing the state’s tourism sector. Discussions will focus on enhancing infrastructure, attracting investment for world-class hotels and resorts, and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
In a press meet, attended by the senior officials of the association, HRAO highlighted a significant trend: a large number of Indian tourists are choosing international destinations like the UAE, Thailand, and Singapore for their holidays. Citing government data, the association noted that nearly 28 million Indians travelled abroad in 2023.
HRAO believes that with its unique assets—including a 580-kilometer coastline, the magnificent Chilika Lake, and rich cultural heritage—Odisha has the potential to attract a significant portion of this outbound market.
“The core objective of this conclave is to transform Odisha into a destination that can rival popular international locations,” said Dr. J.K. Mohanty, Lifetime Chairman of HRAO. “We want to develop Odisha into a ’21-night-stay’ destination, which will require significant investment and a forward-thinking policy.”
The association has set ambitious goals, which will be central to the conclave’s discussions. The plan includes elevating Odisha’s national tourism ranking from its current position of 17th to 7th by 2027, with a long-term goal of breaking into the top three by 2036.
Beyond infrastructure, the conclave will also address the critical need for skilled manpower in the hospitality industry. HRAO will advocate for policy changes to bolster hotel management institutes and has suggested incorporating tourism as a subject in the school curriculum to nurture talent from a young age.
The recommendations and insights gathered from the conclave’s various technical sessions will be compiled and presented to the new state government for its consideration, fostering a collaborative effort to unlock Odisha’s vast tourism potential.
Among others, veteran hotelier & author Debasish Patnaik, HRAO office bearers Dipak S Rathor, Dr Srinibash Subudhi, Jonathan Raul, Tarini Prasad Mohanty, Milind Gupta, and World Trade Centre Bhubaneswar Asst. Director Nimeshika Natarajan attended the press meet hosted by the organization.
