Odisha’s Tourism Department is proposing changes to its land lease policy to support the development of temporary tourism accommodations such as tent cities, glamping pods, and camping facilities as part of a broader push toward sustainable and experience-based tourism in the state.
According to the proposal, government land allocated for these projects would be leased for up to 30 years, replacing the current 99-year lease model typically used for permanent hotels and resorts. The recommendation was outlined in a letter sent by Tourism Secretary Balwant Singh to the Chairman of the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO).
The proposed policy shift comes as Odisha seeks to address gaps in visitor accommodations at many of its tourism destinations.
The state is known for attractions tied to natural landscapes, religious tourism, and cultural heritage, but officials told KalingaTV that the lack of modern and affordable lodging infrastructure has remained a challenge in several areas, particularly in less-developed destinations.
Under the proposal, the Tourism Department plans to encourage the establishment of eco-friendly and low-impact accommodations designed to blend with natural surroundings while offering travelers more flexible stay options. The department said the shorter lease structure would be more suitable for temporary tourism infrastructure and could encourage innovation while ensuring more efficient use of public land.
The policy framework would require IDCO to evaluate projects based on several criteria, including the type of tourism facility proposed, projected investment levels, and environmental sustainability measures. Projects recommended by the Tourism Department would then move through Odisha’s single-window clearance system, which is intended to simplify and accelerate approvals for investors.
State officials also linked the initiative to broader goals under the Odisha Tourism Policy, which emphasizes sustainable tourism and experience-driven travel offerings. The government hopes the strategy will help expand tourism infrastructure in locations that currently lack adequate accommodations while also supporting local employment and rural economic activity connected to tourism.
For outdoor hospitality operators and glamping developers, the proposed framework may signal growing opportunities in India’s emerging experiential travel market. Shorter lease periods tied specifically to temporary accommodations could create a more flexible entry point for investors and operators seeking to test destination viability without committing to long-term permanent construction projects.
The focus on environmentally sustainable tourism infrastructure also reflects a wider trend across global tourism markets, where governments are increasingly prioritizing low-impact development models in ecologically sensitive or rural destinations.
Industry stakeholders may also view the use of a single-window approval process as a potential step toward reducing administrative barriers that can delay tourism developments. Faster approvals, combined with policy support for non-permanent accommodations, could help accelerate the rollout of glamping and outdoor lodging concepts in secondary and emerging tourism regions.
The initiative is part of Odisha’s ongoing efforts to attract both domestic and international travelers by expanding tourism infrastructure while promoting outdoor and nature-based experiences. Officials said the proposed policy would help create affordable and eco-friendly accommodations that combine outdoor travel experiences with modern comfort standards.