Toshali Resorts to manage four Orissa tourism department properties

ETW STAFF - Mumbai

The Toshali Resorts International, a Delhi-based hospitality company, has bagged four Orissa Tourism-owned accommodation units for management under lease development agreement (LDA). The properties are located in the Buddhist circuit of Pathrajpur, Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri. Department of Tourism, Government of Orissa had floated tenders for leasing out 33 hotel properties spread across the state from private hospitality investors recently.

“Orissa has lot to offer for Buddhist pilgrims. Our focus is to develop customised packages for tourists who come to India for pilgrimage and cultural circuits so that they can experience the 1000 years old Buddhist heritage of the state. The four properties are closely located and we are planning to renovate them in such a manner that boosts Buddhist pilgrimage tourism,” said Harihar Patra, director-marketing, Toshali Resorts International.

“Presently, transfer and other formalities are being done. We will ensure that the properties are renovated in such a manner that all the needs of Buddhist pilgrimage travellers are met beyond their expectations. For instance, we plan to have an extensive food court at one of the properties, while MICE amenities will be developed in the other property,” added Patra.

Toshali group currently owns four properties spread across Puri, Simplipal, Shimla and Goa. It is also constructing a five-star luxury hotel with a capacity of 126 rooms in Bhubaneswar.

“One of the challenges that can dampen the growth of Buddhist tourists is lack of air connectivity in this region. There is an urgent need to promote charter flights that can prove to be a boon for this segment and the state tourism,” said Patra.