Page 133 - Hospitality Horizon - February-March 2021

ECO RETREAT: A TURNING POINT MOVING FORWARD
The little “baby steps” eventually panned out for bigger Elaborating further Mr Dev continues, “Among our ongoing
initiatives like the Eco Retreat. Considered to be a benchmark in plans, we are developing 46 out of the 104 destinations which
slow-mode, sustainable travelling, the initiative began, recalls we have identified to be part of our next year’s campaign. We
the Principal Secretary, “as a thought of promoting the serenity would be developing the basic infrastructure like pathways,
of Konark’s Ramchandi Beach, and how to transform Konark as cafes, changing rooms while using the Go Plus app, a land bank
a multi-day vacation destination.” information system to bring in hospitality brands and other
“The answer came in form of these little tents by the beach or investors who would help us boost tourist footfalls. In addition,
glamping. Of course, the idea wasn’t a first-of-its-kind, but the we are also working on promoting waterways tourism by
treatment of the place was, and it could be promoted well with a introducing luxury cruises and houseboats among others at
few changes,” he says. It was here that his team of handpicked different jetties and riversides across Odisha.
domain experts helped put the vision together and it was “The jetty and associated infrastructure that we are
presented to the Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik. developing in Cuttack would have a large establishment that
Backed by Honourable Chief Minister, the first edition of Eco would provide state-of-the-art cruise and water sports
Retreat was held at Konark beach with Odisha Tourism creasing experiences. Barkul in Chilika would even have a floating
out every single aspect of an initiative based on sustainability, restaurant.” Barkul is among the three projects that the
and “this included essential things like keeping waste at a department has already approved, including one coming up in
plausible near zero.” biodiversity rich Bhitarikanika.
Eco Retreat proved to be a turning point in terms of high-end With this, feels the Principal Secretary, “Odisha will be able to
experiential travelling, and the second edition, where they added attract not just the finest brands in business of travel and
four more spots including the beautiful Satkosia Gorge and the hospitality but also widen its net on tourists looking for
breath-taking Daringbadi hill-station, stepped up the narrative of experientials that are bespoke with a fresh perspective. “The
luxury travel in Odisha. The third, according to Mr Dev, “would final tie to this vision has been Nimantran, a fine dining
throw open one more destination in the present coterie with a restaurant dedicated to the rich history of Odia cuisine,
few upgrades done in the present locations. Like adding more conceptualised and managed exclusively by Odisha Tourism
accommodation options in Konark and Satkosia that have done Development Corporation (OTDC).
exceptionally well this year to finding better hosting grounds that “In the first phase,” says Mr Dev, “We would be opening
would allow us to enhance our offers. Like for Bhitarkanika, we Nimantran at three places – Puri, Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar
plan to use the Pentha Beach region to facilitate water sports too – with a dedicated team of domain experts handpicked to run
in the next season.” this place as the finest showcase of our ancient culture. In fact,
our Sambalpur property is housed in Rani Bakhri, a palace built
by the fifth king of Sambalpur for his favourite queen in 1650
that was restored to its former glory with help from INTACH.”
Eco Retreat proved to be a But that’s not all. According to Mr Dev, there is lot more in

turning point in terms of high- store. “What we have done thus far is good,” he says, “but it is
just the tip of the iceberg.”
end experiential travelling and

stepped up the narrative of

luxury travel in Odisha.