It is well observed that the transition from the pre-covid era to the Covid era has reshaped our behaviour in many ways – some of which are here to stay. One trend that is picking up pace as the festive season approaches is ‘revenge travel’. Having spent months at home due to lockdowns, vaccinated travellers are now itching to venture out. And restrictions in international travel has forced tourists to look local. Hence, it’s no surprise that the hospitality industry is witnessing a surge in Domestic Tourism. Looking to capitalise on this trend, two brand new 5-star hotels – Welcomhotel by ITC and Taj Vivanta have made an entry in Bhubaneswar.
The new entrants will face competition from Mayfair Lagoon and Trident Hotel, the other 5-star hotels in the city. The sudden spurt of luxury hotels in the capital city lies in more reasons than one. Bhubaneswar is a historical city with over 1,000 temples, numerous archaeological sites, in addition to untouched beaches and tourist attractions such as Puri and Konark located close by – making it one of the most visited destinations in Eastern India.
Domestic vs Foreign Visitors In Odisha
It is also the political and financial capital of Odisha which is slowly developing into an industrial hub. Moreover, the growing desire for luxury experiences with increasing spending power makes it a lucrative market for hoteliers.
Welcomhotel and Vivanta are strategically located a few kilometres away from Biju Patnaik International Airport, attracting both leisure and business travellers.
Although it’s still early days, here’s what we know about the two hotels so far:
Welcomhotel by ITC
Taking inspiration from the age-old temples, the interiors at Welcomhotel are a visual treat. It has 107 rooms (some having direct access to the swimming pool), four banqueting & meeting venues and three restaurants. WelcomCafe provides local Odia food apart from dishes from across India and overseas. Peshawari offers delicacies from the Northwest Frontier region. Meanwhile, Sunbean Cafe has a fine selection of bakery and gourmet coffees for grabs. They also have an exclusive lobby bar Swizzle – with a curated collection of domestic and international alcoholic beverages.
Taj Vivanta Bhubaneswar
Located in the vibrant business district of Kalinga Nagar, Vivanta Bhubaneswar will appeal to you with its contemporary style. It features 136 spacious rooms, the city’s largest conferencing space, three dining options and an award-winning Jiva Spa & Salon. Mynt is an all-day diner that serves local and international flavours. Swirl serves signature desserts as well as teas and coffees from around the world. Wink is a plush lounge offering a wide selection of wines, cocktails and small bites. The key attraction is the rooftop Poolbar with a bird’s eye view of the city.