HAI Welcomes Odisha Tourism Amendment Policy 2026 to Boost Hospitality Growth
Hotel Association of India welcomes Odisha Tourism Amendment Policy 2026, expected to enhance ease of doing business and unlock hospitality investment.
Munni Khatun 
The Hotel Association of India (HAI) has expressed strong support for the recently announced Odisha Tourism Amendment Policy 2026, underscoring the move as a major catalyst for hospitality sector growth in the eastern Indian state.
The policy revisions are aimed at enhancing ease of doing business, expanding investment incentives and streamlining regulatory frameworks to attract developers and operators to Odisha’s tourism and hotel markets. This shift is expected to bolster investor confidence and accelerate branded hotel development across urban and leisure destinations.
HAI’s endorsement highlights how policy clarity and targeted incentives can unlock latent demand in emerging tourism corridors, particularly as Odisha positions itself as a year-round travel destination with cultural heritage, beaches, wildlife and pilgrimage circuits drawing both domestic and international visitors.
Industry stakeholders note that amended provisions related to land usage, tax incentives, infrastructure support and simplified approval processes have the potential to reduce barriers to entry for hotel projects and improve project viability, especially in tier-II and tier-III towns.
For hoteliers, the policy offers a framework that can support diversified supply growth while balancing commercial imperatives with sustainable tourism principles. Proponents believe that clearer guidelines and investment support will encourage hotel brands to expand into underserved belts, creating jobs and enhancing service quality across the state.
The HAI’s welcome also reflects broader industry advocacy for tourism-friendly policy environments that integrate hospitality development with destination branding, connectivity enhancement and public-private partnerships.
As Odisha gears up to leverage its natural, cultural and event-driven tourism assets, the amended policy could play a significant role in shaping how the state competes with other regional destinations for hospitality investments and traveller preference.
The association has signalled its intent to collaborate with state authorities on implementation roadmaps that ensure timely execution and measurable outcomes, reinforcing the view that policy reform must be complemented by actionable governance for long-term industry impact.
