HRAO urges theme parks and a Greenfield airport in Puri to boost Odisha tourism, attract global visitors, and strengthen the hospitality sector
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha on Sunday called upon both the state and central governments to establish large-scale theme parks and integrated entertainment venues, as well as a Greenfield airport in Puri, to enhance the hospitality and tourism industries.
These recommendations were presented during the association’s 40th annual celebration, which was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida. She encouraged members of the hospitality sector to act as ‘Tourism Ambassadors’ to foster the overall advancement of the industry.
In a statement on X, Parida remarked: “…This association has been instrumental in enriching the hospitality sector in Odisha. Their initiatives have not only led to the flourishing of the tourism industry but have also significantly impacted the growth of other sectors, contributing greatly to the state’s economic development. In addition to developing tourist attractions as travel destinations, there is now a focus on caravan tourism to enhance the experiences of visitors.”
To further this initiative, Parida urged hotel owners, business professionals, and employees within the hospitality sector to take on the role of ‘Tourism Ambassadors’.
Puri MP Sambit Patra and local MLA Sunil Mahanty were also present at the event.
During the event, association chairman J K Mohanty emphasized Odisha’s significant potential for developing large-scale theme parks and integrated entertainment venues.
“Taking cues from global leaders like The Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios, the association encourages the state government to consider entering into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a world-class mega theme park in Odisha,” Mohanty stated.
HRAO, a travel and tourism organization that has been active in the state for forty years, suggested that an official study-tour delegation, comprising industry representatives, should visit the United States to facilitate discussions.
To achieve this objective, HRAO also urged BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra to take proactive measures in collaboration with the Union Tourism Ministry to attract this transformative project to Odisha, capitalizing on the benefits of the current double-engine government.
The association additionally proposed Sipasarubali (Samuka) Beach in Puri as the ideal site for the mega tourism initiative, pointing out that land has already been earmarked for the planned international airport.
HRAO noted that the theme park and airport would generate significant synergies for high-value tourism development. The association also called for the careful protection of the Shree Jagannath Temple during the planning of the proposed airport, stressing that the structural integrity and sanctity of the 12th-century shrine in Puri must be preserved.
Furthermore, the association recommended extending the Mahaparinirvan Express train service from New Delhi to Bodh Gaya all the way to Puri to enhance the influx of Buddhist tourists into Odisha.