The Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) has announced its 40th Foundation Day Celebration, scheduled for March 1 at Holiday Resort, Puri. The commemorative event will be graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Member of Parliament Sambit Patra, and Member of Legislative Assembly Sunil Mohanty.
This milestone marks 40 years of dedicated service since the Association’s establishment in 1986, with just six members. Today, with a robust network of 388 member hoteliers, HRAO stands as a unified platform fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, innovation, and professional excellence within the hospitality industry.
Over the years, HRAO has worked closely with the Government of Odisha, the Ministry of Tourism, the Government of India, and key stakeholders to strengthen the state’s tourism ecosystem. The Association has consistently advocated progressive policies that promote investment, infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and sustainable tourism practices. It has welcomed the recently announced Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy 2026, which reflects several of HRAO’s recommendations and is expected to attract significant investment while generating employment across the state.
Among the policy highlights supported by HRAO are the creation of land banks in major tourist destinations to facilitate the development of hotels, resorts, eco-accommodations, convention centres, wellness retreats, and adventure tourism infrastructure. The revised policy also introduces improved incentives for investors, simplified expansion norms for existing hospitality units, and enhanced subsidies for projects in emerging tourism zones. Special emphasis has been placed on sectors such as experiential tourism, destination weddings, water-based tourism, caravan tourism, and promotion of Odia cuisine, all of which are aligned with Odisha’s Vision-2036 and Vision-2047 growth roadmap.
HRAO has also played a pioneering role 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 actively advocated improved connectivity, contributing to expanded air links from Bhubaneswar to international destinations including Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore, thereby strengthening Odisha’s global tourism and business appeal. It has also urged enhanced rail connectivity between pilgrimage destinations such as New Delhi and Bodhgaya to boost religious tourism circuits.
In addition, HRAO has consistently supported government-led tourism promotion initiatives, industry workshops, skill development programmes, and sustainability campaigns. The Association continues to act as a vital bridge between policymakers and industry stakeholders, advocating ease of doing business, regulatory simplification, and infrastructure expansion across key destinations, including Chilika Lake.
As it celebrates this landmark anniversary, HRAO remains committed to strengthening industry–government partnerships, accelerating tourism development, and positioning Odisha among India’s leading tourism destinations. The 40th Foundation Day celebration will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and tourism stakeholders to reflect on past achievements, address emerging opportunities, and chart a dynamic roadmap for the future of Odisha’s hospitality sector.