Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the overhauling response from the first-ever Eco Retreat Festival held last year at Konark, the state government has decided to organise such events at five other locations this year.
The Tourism department has decided to hold Eco Retreats at exotic locations like Konark, Satkosia, Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi and Hirakud.
On the line of annual Rann Utsav held at Rann of Kutch where the Gujarat government organises tented accommodation for the tourists, the Marine Drive-Eco Retreat was organised last December to showcase the best of Odisha’s food and culture for high-end tourists. The festival was held for 49 days. This time, events would be organized for a period of three months starting from December this year.
The event is being organised to attract high-end tourists through a mix of luxurious accommodation coupled with adventure and water sports activities.
“As the Eco Retreat at Konark last year was a hit, we have planned to organise such event at five locations this year so that we can attract more number of tourists and make Odisha a brand in tourism sector, not only within the country, but also abroad,” said Tourism Director Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav.
The department has floated tenders inviting private players to conceive, develop, finance, operate, maintain, promote and market the Eco Retreat project sites, he said, adding, “We will provide basic amenities like water supply, electricity connection and other requirements at the sites.”
To promote the event, the government has also decided to provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to the preferred bidders, Jadhav said.
The private operator will setup and manage temporary structures (tented cottages, restaurants, conference halls, reception area, etc.) in compliance with minimum development obligation. The services provided at the Eco Retreat will be at par with any 3-star category hotels, he said. The director said the Eco Retreat at Konark would have 50 luxurious tents while other destinations will have 20 to 25 units.
The government aims to attract tourists having good spending capacity to visit and stay in Odisha so that they can experience the state’s rich art & culture, handloom & handicrafts and natural beauty, and also help in development of the tourism industry in the state. The event will be packed with lots of entertainment, as well as adventure activities such as jet-ski, speed boating, parasailing, archery, rifle shooting, cycling and beach volleyball.
Biswa Bhusan Mohapatra, OP
