Hotels in Bhubaneswar witnessed a complete sell-out on New Year's Eve, but with an interesting twist. The demand did not come from tourists visiting Odisha from other states. Instead, it was the city's own residents and people from nearby areas who chose to ring in the New Year and enjoy the 'Zero Night' from the comfort of local hotels, forgoing traditional trips to distant destinations.
The Rise of the Urban Retreat
Hoteliers in the capital city report that the concept of a 'staycation'—a holiday spent at or near home—has become a powerful post-Covid trend for New Year celebrations. This preference is growing stronger annually in Bhubaneswar, as it combines the thrill of a getaway with the ease and comfort of staying close to home, eliminating the stress of complex travel logistics.
According to tourism department reports, Bhubaneswar has close to 300 hotels, with approximately 80 of them catering to high-spending clientele. Occupancy rates were already high at around 80% until Tuesday. By Wednesday, December 31st, all star-category properties were completely booked.
"We planned a staycation in Bhubaneswar this time to spend the New Year and the first weekend of 2026 in festive yet familiar surroundings. It is a relaxed retreat for us, without the exhaustion of planning and travel," shared Ananya Mihir, a resident of Cuttack.
Hotels Curate Experiences for Local Guests
To cater to this burgeoning demand from locals, hotels have designed special immersive urban retreat packages. While grand musical nights, unlimited snacks, beverages, and gala dinners mark the New Year's Eve and New Year celebrations, properties are rolling out exclusive perks for staycationers.
These benefits include early check-in, late check-out, special dinners at flexible hours, and discounts on spa and salon services during their short holiday break. "In our properties, bookings by local guests are higher than for those travelling from outside. Most reservations are for Dec 31 and January 1," added Ranjan Das, general manager of a hospitality brand that operates two luxury hotels in the city.
Celebrations Extend Beyond the City
The staycation wave is not confined to the city limits. J K Mohanty, Chairman of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha, noted that while Bhubaneswar remains a major hub for New Year festivities, many local residents are also choosing to move to less crowded destinations like Chilika and Gopalpur to celebrate the arrival of 2026 and the subsequent weekend.
This shift underscores a broader change in holiday-making behavior, where the value of convenience, familiarity, and curated local experiences is increasingly rivaling the allure of long-distance travel.
