Odisha hoteliers urge 21-night tourism circuits, better connectivity and hospitality training to boost longer stays, jobs and foreign tourist arrivals.
EditionININUSUKGCCEnglishEnglishहिन्दीमराठीಕನ್ನಡதமிழ்বাংলাമലയാളംతెలుగుગુજરાતીWeatherSign InTOIToday's ePaperLiveNewsCity Newsbhubaneswar NewsState must develop 21-night itineraries to boost tourism: HoteliersTrendingMaharashtra Doctor AssaultYamuna Toxic FoamRaihan VadraSaurav DasUddhav ThackerayUnnao Murder CaseMaharashtra Doctor AssaultYamuna Toxic FoamRaihan VadraSaurav DasUddhav ThackerayUnnao Murder CaseMaharashtra Doctor AssaultYamuna Toxic FoamRaihan VadraSaurav DasUddhav ThackerayUnnao Murder CaseState must develop 21-night itineraries to boost tourism: HoteliersHemanta Pradhan / Oct 23, 2026, 22:08 ISTCommentsShareAaText SizeSmallMediumLargePrint Participants at the 7th Odisha Tourism Conclave Bhubaneswar: Odisha should position itself as a "21-night tourism destination" by developing integrated circuits, strengthening connectivity and expanding hospitality infrastructure, said J K Mohanty, chairman of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha, at the 7th Odisha Tourism Conclave here on Friday.The conclave was attended by deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, chief secretary Anu Garg and others.Mohanty said the state must move beyond short-duration pilgrim visits and promote seven-, 14- and 21-night itineraries covering spirituality, heritage, wildlife, beaches, culture, cuisine, wellness and adventure.
Longer stays, he said, would improve hotel occupancy, increase visitor spending and create more employment opportunities.Citing ministry of tourism data, Mohanty said India recorded footfall of 428.55 crore domestic and 2.53 crore foreign tourists in 2025. “Of them, Odisha received 1.28 crore domestic visitors and only 62,115 foreigners.
The figures reflected a wide gap between the state’s tourism potential and actual footfall,” he said.Welcoming the state govt’s tourism policy initiatives and its target of adding about 15,000 hotel rooms, Mohanty said the expansion could generate demand for nearly 45,000 skilled hospitality workers.
He urged the govt to expand hotel management institutes, strengthen industry-academia partnerships and consider a 70% fee subsidy for students pursuing hospitality education.He said Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark Golden Triangle should remain the backbone of Odisha’s tourism sector, supported by circuits covering Chilika, Bhitarkanika, Similipal, Satkosia, Debrigarh, Hirakud, Koraput and Deomali.
He also called for quality accommodation, reliable transport, trained guides, multilingual signage and better visitor facilities to encourage longer stays.Describing connectivity as one of the state’s biggest constraints, Mohanty sought stronger domestic air links from Bhubaneswar and the restoration of discontinued flights to cities such as Jaipur, Indore, Goa and Kochi.
He also called for direct international flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai.Mohanty proposed the formation of a govt-industry task force to prepare a five-year action plan focusing on investment, connectivity, destination development and global promotion.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bhubaneswar | Silver Rate in Bhubaneswar | Bank Holidays in Bhubaneswar | Public Holidays in Bhubaneswar | Petrol Price in Bhubaneswar | Diesel Price in Bhubaneswar | CNG Price in Bhubaneswar | LPG Price in BhubaneswarStay updated with the latest Bhubaneswar news.
Download the TOI App.About the AuthorHemanta PradhanHemanta Pradhan writes for the Times of India on education, hospital issues, transport, agriculture & tribal affairs. He has been working as a journalist since 2011. He has a PG degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from Berhampur University.
He has won Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPhotostoriesHot PicksTamil Nadu school holidaySam AltmanGold rate todaySaurav DasChennai rainTibet earthquakeISRO recruitment 2026India fuel stockJio IPOCA FoundationTop TrendingRaihan VadraKanpur MurderBengaluru ArrestUnnao MurderUddhav ThackeraySilicon Valley SuperstarArmy EspionageCapex PipelineMetaTeslaTired of too many ads?go ad free nowTrending StoriesIn BhubaneswarIn CityOdisha moves SC over Andhra poll plan in Kotia15-yr-old raped by neighbour in Angul distOdisha police to procure anti-drone gun with 2km jamming rangeTeenager detained for killing 7-yr-old over fishing hookKonark land worth Rs 110cr restored to govt recordsNeglect in use of life-saving helmets costs Odisha 12,000 lives in 7 yrsState must develop 21-night itineraries to boost tourism: HoteliersGovt invites bids to resume Bhubaneswar-Dubai flightsOdisha bags Rs 54,000 crore investment proposals at India Chem; next edition to be held in BhubaneswarCity hosts UMI conference; 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