The Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) is set to celebrate its 40th Foundation Day on March 1 at Holiday Resort, commemorating four decades of contribution to the growth of Odisha’s tourism and hospitality sector. The event will bring together key policymakers and industry leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Member of Parliament Sambit Patra, and MLA Sunil Mohanty.
Founded in 1986 with just six members, HRAO has evolved into a strong network of 388 member hoteliers, emerging as a unified platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and industry advancement. Over the years, the Association has played a significant role in shaping policies and supporting initiatives that strengthen Odisha’s tourism ecosystem.
HRAO has consistently worked alongside the Ministry of Tourism and the Government of Odisha to encourage investment, infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and sustainable tourism practices. The Association has welcomed the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy 2026, which reflects several of its recommendations aimed at boosting tourism-led economic growth and employment generation across the state.
The revised policy proposes the creation of land banks in key tourist destinations to support the development of hotels, resorts, eco-accommodations, convention centres, wellness retreats, and adventure tourism infrastructure. It also introduces improved incentives for investors, simplified expansion norms for existing hospitality units, and enhanced subsidies for projects in emerging tourism zones. Special focus areas include experiential tourism, destination weddings, water-based tourism, caravan tourism, and the promotion of Odia cuisine.
Beyond policy advocacy, HRAO has been instrumental in promoting tourism through initiatives such as the launch of the Puri Beach Festival in 1992, which helped position the state as a vibrant cultural destination. The Association has also supported efforts to improve connectivity and strengthen tourism circuits.
As it marks this milestone, HRAO aims to further strengthen industry–government collaboration and accelerate tourism development, positioning Odisha as a prominent destination in India’s tourism landscape.
