Bhubaneswar: Diversifying tourism experiences, improving infrastructure and attracting private investment emerged as key priorities at the first meeting of the State Tourism Advisory Council (STAC), convened by the Odisha Government in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who attended the meeting, said tourism would play an important role in achieving the vision of Viksit Odisha 2036 and contributing to Viksit Bharat 2047. She highlighted Odisha’s potential in historical and spiritual tourism, Buddhist heritage, coastal destinations, biodiversity, tribal traditions, handicrafts and natural landscapes.
She said the tourism sector could generate employment, strengthen local livelihoods and help preserve the state’s cultural heritage.
The Council discussed ways to diversify Odisha’s tourism offerings, with a focus on eco-tourism, heritage and religious tourism, adventure tourism, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), destination weddings and the development of new tourism circuits.
The discussions also covered the creation of a Tourism Land Bank, improvement of infrastructure and basic amenities at major destinations, better connectivity, accommodation facilities, tourist safety, sanitation and skilled manpower development.
Facilitating private investment was another key area of discussion. Members stressed the need for better coordination among government departments and simplification of regulatory procedures, including building permissions, Fire NOCs, licences and other statutory clearances. The role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and greater participation of tourism and hospitality stakeholders in developing the sector was also highlighted.
The Council reviewed Odisha’s international tourism outreach plans, particularly Odisha Parab, scheduled to be held in Bali, Indonesia, on November 23 and 24. The event will showcase the state’s art, culture, handicrafts, cuisine and tourism destinations to an international audience, with the aim of strengthening Odisha’s global tourism profile.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Tourism Department Balwant Singh presented the department’s vision document and outlined the strategic direction for the sector. The meeting also emphasised the need to strengthen STAC as an institutional platform for policy guidance, stakeholder consultation and actionable recommendations, supported by time-bound implementation.
Director of Tourism Deepankar Mohapatra, Special Secretary Lipsa Das, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) Chairman J.K. Mohanty, OTDC General Manager Dharmendra Mallick and Additional Secretary Rudra Narayan Das attended the meeting along with representatives of the tourism and hospitality industry.
The first meeting of STAC marks an effort to bring government departments and industry stakeholders together to develop a coordinated roadmap for sustainable, inclusive and investment-led tourism growth in Odisha.
