Puri: The Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) on Sunday urged the state and Central governments to develop large-scale theme parks and integrated entertainment destinations, along with a greenfield airport in Puri, to boost the hospitality and tourism sectors.
The proposals were made at the association’s 40th annual celebration, which was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida. She called on members of the hospitality industry to become “Tourism Ambassadors” to support the overall growth of the sector.
Taking to social media platform X, Parida said, “This association has been playing a pivotal role in strengthening Odisha’s hospitality industry. Through its efforts, not only has the tourism sector flourished, but it has also significantly contributed to the development of other sectors, playing a major role in the state’s economic progress. Alongside developing tourist sites as travel destinations, caravan tourism is now being emphasised to enhance tourists’ experiences.”
To take this initiative forward, Parida urged hotel owners, businesspersons, and workers associated with the hospitality industry to become “Tourism Ambassadors.”
Puri MP Sambit Patra and local MLA Sunil Mahanty also attended the function.
Addressing the gathering, association chairman J.K. Mohanty highlighted Odisha’s strong potential to develop large-scale theme parks and integrated entertainment destinations.
“Drawing inspiration from global leaders such as The Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios, the association urges the state government to explore signing a strategic MoU for establishing a world-class mega theme park in Odisha,” Mohanty said.
HRAO, a tour and travel body operating in the state for four decades, proposed that an official study-tour delegation, including industry representatives, visit the United States to facilitate discussions.
In an effort to achieve this goal, HRAO also appealed to BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra to take proactive steps, in coordination with the Union Tourism Ministry, to attract this transformational project to Odisha by leveraging the advantages of the present double-engine government.
The association further suggested Sipasarubali (Samuka) Beach in Puri as the preferred location for the mega tourism project, noting that land has already been identified for the proposed international airport.
HRAO observed that the theme park and airport would create strong synergies for high-value tourism growth.
The association also advocated proper safeguarding of Shree Jagannath Temple while planning the proposed airport, emphasising that utmost care must be taken to protect the structural integrity and sanctity of the 12th-century shrine in Puri.
Additionally, the association recommended that the Mahaparinirvan Express, which operates from New Delhi to Bodh Gaya, be extended to Puri to boost Buddhist tourist inflow into Odisha.
