The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) on Thursday urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu not to withdraw Air India flights from Bhubaneswar to Bangkok in the interest Odisha’s tourism sector.
“Withdrawal of Air India flights from Bhubaneswar to Bangkok will affect the growth of the tourism of Odisha tremendously. While the State is expecting more tourists from Thailand and Bangkok, many tour operators have already sold their packages for Bangkok and Thailand,” HRAO chairman JK Mohanty wrote to the Union Minister.
Arguing that air connectivity multiplies tourist footfalls and builds destinations, Mohanty mentioned that the Odisha Government is aggressively promoting its tourism potential by participating at international roadshows and declaring many investment opportunities. Through direct flights, Buddhist tourists of Thailand can directly travel to Odisha without going through Kolkata or Delhi and they can save their valuable time and money.
“In view of these, we appeal to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to reintroduce Air India flights from Bhubaneswar to Bangkok,” urged Mohanty.
He too sent copies to the Chief Minister and concerned officers of both the Union and State Governments.