-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org)
The Hotel Association of India (HAI) has officially welcomed the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy 2026, hailing it as a progressive step toward strengthening the state’s hospitality infrastructure. The policy, which focuses on easing investment norms and promoting sustainable tourism, is expected to attract significant private capital and create thousands of jobs over the next decade.
Key Reforms: Lowering Barriers and Boosting MICE
The amended policy introduces several critical changes designed to make Odisha a more competitive destination for hotel developers:
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Simplified Investment Norms: A reduced minimum room requirement for 3-star and above hotels and relaxed expansion regulations make it easier for existing properties to scale up.
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Sustainability Incentives: Selective incentives have been introduced for heritage properties, museums, and electric mobility, aligning the state with global green tourism trends.
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Focus on MICE & Experiential Tourism: The expansion of “special zones” specifically targets Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), positioning Odisha as a corporate hub in Eastern India.
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Long-Term Goal: The state aims to add 15,000 new hotel rooms by 2036, fostering large-scale employment and tribal inclusion in the tourism value chain.
Stakeholder Engagement & Governance
A significant addition to the policy is the formation of a State Tourism Advisory Council, which HAI believes will ensure consistent stakeholder engagement and smoother policy implementation. “The amended Odisha Tourism Policy reflects sustained industry engagement and forward-looking reforms. By linking tourism growth with tribal inclusion and job creation, the policy sets a strong precedent that can be replicated across states”, M.P. Bezbaruah, Secretary-General, HAI.
