Odisha is internationally recognized for its rich religious, heritage, and cultural tourism assets. The tourism industry functions as a vital catalyst for local economies, supporting host communities engaged in the hotel industry, sports, leisure activities, transport, and logistics.
The sector encompasses a comprehensive value chain that generates employment and economic value. When developed sustainably, it plays an active role in protecting cultural heritage, promoting biodiversity conservation, and bolstering environmentally friendly livelihoods. The state is committed to ensuring an immersive experience throughout the visitor journey: pre-travel, during travel, and post-travel.
Inter-Sector Connections: The tourism industry connects multiple vital sectors—including construction, agriculture, fishing, food processing, and furniture manufacturing—and relies heavily on a robust network of roads, airports, telecommunications, and electricity.
The Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy 2026 aims to transform the state into a leading eco and cultural tourism hub in Asia by 2047. Key target achievements and financial incentives outlined include:
The number of domestic tourists visiting Odisha increased by 8.2 lakhs between 2023-24 and 2024-25. West Bengal represents the single largest source of domestic tourists at 14%, followed by Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
Odisha witnessed an increase of 0.1 lakh (10,000) international tourists over the previous year. U.S.A. represented the highest source of inbound foreign arrivals, followed by Japan, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
Currently, Odisha accounts for a 0.55% share of total international tourist arrivals to India.
Tourist preferences and spending patterns vary significantly by demographic category. The table below represents the segmented infrastructure offerings tailored to budget and luxury demands:
Odisha's tourism sector is built on a holistic ecosystem comprising five core pillars (direct visitor services) and five key enablers (infrastructure & policy support):
Natural wonders, heritage, wildlife sanctuaries, festivals
Hotels, resorts, homestays, alternative lodging
Air, rail, road, sea, local mobility (taxis, ferries)
Tour operators, travel agencies, guides, experiential tours
Restaurants, local cafes, food festivals & cuisine
Quality roads, airports, waterways, telecom, electricity
Promotion policies, visa facilitation, green business regulations
Online booking engines, digital marketing, VR tours, mobile apps
Engagement in planning, culture preservation, benefit sharing
Tourist police, safety protocols, emergency medical responses
For seamless experience in tourism, Odisha Government is committed to enhance infrastructure at key destinations and ensure last mile connectivity with world class facilities for the visitors.
The development of hotel infrastructure is critical for tourist growth. In FY 2024-25, multiple premium properties opened across the state, including the **Taj Puri Resort & Spa** in Puri, **Welcomhotel by ITC** in Bhubaneswar, and **Mayfair Bay Resort** in Paradip.
Awards: The Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha was conferred with the “Best Wildlife Conservation Effort in India” award at the India International Travel Mart (IITM), Hyderabad, for its initiatives in protecting wildlife habitats and promoting sustainable ecotourism.
To diversify attractions and appeal to niche groups, the Government of Odisha has rolled out several targeted initiatives:
Blue Flag Beach Certification: As a major milestone in sustainable coastal management, both **Puri Beach** and **Pati Sonapur Beach** secured the prestigious Blue Flag certification for 2025-26, highlighting global standards of cleanliness and safety.