Bhubaneswar Hospitality Sector Booms as Republic Day Weekend Approaches
The first long weekend of 2026 is witnessing a significant surge in bookings for city getaways and resorts across Bhubaneswar and its surrounding areas. Holidaymakers are increasingly opting for short, leisurely escapes that require minimal planning and preparation, while moving away from extended vacations to distant locations.
Strong Demand from Local Residents
With the Republic Day long weekend beginning this Saturday, hotels and resorts in Bhubaneswar and nearby destinations are experiencing remarkable demand. Stakeholders in the travel and hospitality sectors report that short, wellness-led staycations, leisure holidays, and flexible bookings at nearby getaways are shaping the new weekend travel trend. This movement is largely driven by young working adults seeking convenient holiday experiences.
J K Mohanty, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha, revealed that several properties under the association are witnessing higher occupancies during the long weekend. "Interestingly, almost 95 percent of the bookings have been made by local residents," Mohanty stated. "While people continue to gravitate towards traditional destinations like Puri and Konark, emerging spots for quick escapes now include Chilika, Koraput, Similipal, Bhitarkanika, and even Deogarh. Even Bhubaneswar itself is seeing increased demand."
Changing Travel Preferences
Mohanty further explained the underlying reasons for this shift: "The hospitality sector is gaining good traction from this trend. An overworked individual now prefers to spend minimal time planning a vacation but still wants a great holiday experience, which is available within easy reach."
This sentiment is echoed by travelers like Chittaranjan Jena, an IT professional from Cuttack, who planned a Koraput trip for the Republic Day weekend as early as December last year. "We are a group of friends visiting Deomali and Gupteswar this week," Jena shared. "We've come mainly for camping at Deomali, which seems to have become the most visited site this season."
Shift Away from International Destinations
Gagan Sarangi, Chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, Odisha chapter, highlighted another significant change in travel patterns. The trend of quick vacations to easy-visa international destinations during long weekends is no longer prevalent among travelers from Odisha.
"Traditionally, travelers from Odisha preferred the UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore for both short and long vacations, while only a handful traveled to Europe, US, or UK for longer holidays," Sarangi explained. "Now, the trend has changed. South East Asian countries are perceived as over-explored, and travelers are reluctant to repeat these destinations."
He noted that Vietnam is emerging as a new international favorite, though the overall preference has shifted toward domestic and nearby getaways.
Key Factors Driving the Trend
- Convenience: Minimal planning and preparation required for nearby destinations
- Wellness Focus: Growing popularity of wellness-led staycations and leisure holidays
- Local Exploration: Increased interest in exploring emerging destinations within Odisha
- Time Efficiency: Working professionals seeking quality holiday experiences without extensive travel time
- Changing Perceptions: International destinations seen as over-explored, driving interest in local alternatives
The hospitality industry in Bhubaneswar and surrounding regions is clearly benefiting from this evolving travel behavior, with the Republic Day weekend serving as a strong indicator of changing preferences among Odisha's residents.
