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Samit Garg, co-founder of EFactor Experiences that operates three of the seven eco-retreats by Odisha Tourism, including the flagship Konark eco retreat this year beginning December 1, feels that the Odisha model of eco-retreats can unlock the tourism potential of many seasonal destinations if executed in a eco-sensitive manner.
EFactor Experiences will be operating three key eco retreats out of the seven, starting December 2022. These include the flagship Konark Eco Retreat and the largest among the seven retreats. The other two are Bitharkanika and Pati Sonapur. Pati Sonapur is a new addition to the eco retreat destinations this year.
The 90-day eco retreats are slated to start from December 15 and go on till March 15, 2023 at all the seven destinations. The eco retreat initiative was started by Odisha Tourism from Konark in 2019 and has added new destinations over the last three years.
At Konark, there will be 70 luxury tents, including eight Presidential suites. In the rest of the destinations, the number of tents will be 25. Garg said that they will be operating these eco retreats for the next five years.
“We have brought in a lot of changes to the Konark eco retreat. We have changed the concept from a camping site to a proper resort with the whole look and feel, engagement with the guests as well the experiences being offered,” said Garg.
From 2022, they have introduced a spa, a beach shack, kids’ play area, and a gym for more intimate engagement with the guests. “We have tried to balance the guest experience and the important aspect of ecological sustainability quite well at all the three places,” he said.
Garg said that they take all precautions so that the environmental impact is minimal. Use of single use plastic including plastic water bottles is strictly prohibited. He said that from next year they will rope in a professional agency for waste management so that the entire waste management including the food waste is handled properly and productively.
Garg said that they’ve had big corporate groups like Dalberg, a global advocacy group working in the sustainable and inclusive infrastructure, staying at the Konark site and giving positive feedback about the project.
“We had the experience of operating campsites as part of our events, fairs and festivals. However, operating an eco retreat or a resort with all the hospitality related service elements is an altogether different experience,” he says.
While Odisha has pioneered the concept and taken the poll position as far as eco retreats and glamping, Garg says that so many other states are seriously mulling the option. “A lot of other State government representatives visit the site to learn about it,” he said.
He feels that eco retreats are an ideal model for States to unlock the tourism potential of ecologically fragile areas with high seasonalities. The CRZ and ESZ guidelines do not allow permanent structures in such areas and therefore temporary retreats are an ideal proposition for unlocking the tourism potential, he says.
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