Odisha tourism: New land lease policy for short-term hospitality projects

Bhubaneswar: The state govt is considering a new mechanism for leasing land to short-gestation tourism and hospitality projects such as tent cities and glamping facilities.Tourism commissioner-cum-secretary Balwant Singh has written to Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco), seeking a framework for leasing govt land for such projects for shorter durations, instead of the existing 99-year lease model generally followed for hospitality ventures.He said that while long-term leases are suitable for conventional hotels and resorts, emerging tourism formats like tent cities, glamping and other low-impact experiential accommodations are operationally different and typically have a project life cycle of up to 30 years.The tourism department has asked Idco to explore and put in place an appropriate mechanism to lease land for these projects for periods of up to 30 years, or for durations deemed suitable on a case-to-case basis. It would be based on recommendations of the tourism department after approval from the competent single window authority under Odisha Tourism Policy.Singh said the move is aimed at promoting innovative and eco-friendly tourism products while ensuring optimal utilisation of land resources. The department has also stressed the need to consider the nature of the project, investment profile and sustainability aspects before allotting land.The tourism department currently hosts glamping events at destinations like Konark, Koraput, Bhitarkanika and Daringbadi, among others. The proposed framework is expected to encourage investment in flexible and experience-based tourism infrastructure like eco-retreats across the state, he added.