New Strategy Targets Premium Growth for Odisha Tourism 2047

Odisha is aggressively shifting its tourism strategy from simple destination marketing to robust infrastructure development and commercialization, aiming for premium, multi-day visitor experiences. This strategic pivot aligns with the state’s ambitious goal to become one of India's top five tourism destinations by 2047, attracting 50 million domestic and 700,000 foreign visitors annually. The strategy hinges on leveraging the newly minted 2026 Tourism Amendment Policy.

Souvagya Mohapatra, Chairman of the FICCI Eastern Region Tourism Committee, recently outlined a comprehensive 10-point roadmap to capitalize on the state's assets. He emphasised that Odisha does not lack tourism products but rather needs focused destination development, improved connectivity, and private sector investment. His plan advocates for creating 8 to 10 professionally managed tourism zones equipped with superior infrastructure.

Leveraging the Tourism Land Bank for Investment

A key component of this plan involves aggressively monetizing the recently created 5,500-acre tourism land bank. By offering investment-ready sites with clear titles and pre-built utilities, the state hopes to attract global hotel chains. This is further supported by a ₹1,500 crore budgetary provision for 2026–31. Recent policy changes, such as reducing the minimum room requirement for star hotels and increasing capital subsidies up to ₹120 crore, are expected to catalyze this private-sector-led growth.

Mohapatra’s roadmap also highlights the need to commercialize five signature circuits, including the Jagannath Spiritual, Buddhist, and Wildlife paths, transforming them from isolated attractions into seamless commercial products. Furthermore, the plan calls for expanding luxury offerings beyond urban centers, proposing high-end resorts in areas like Koraput, Chilika, and Similipal. The ultimate vision is to establish Odisha as India’s premier hub for spiritual and wellness tourism, integrating Jagannath culture with Ayurveda and luxury hospitality. Improving last-mile infrastructure, from airport connectivity to public facilities, remains a critical priority for enhancing the overall visitor experience.