Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the much-awaited Marine Drive Eco-Retreat at the Ramchandi beach near Konark today.
The Chief Minister drove in golf cart around the Eco Retreat and took stock of facilities made available by Odisha Tourism in this novel initiative that is first of its kind in the Eastern India and has a potential to transform the face of Odisha tourism.
Naveen called upon the international and domestic tourists to visit the Eco Retreat and explore India’s best kept secret that is Odisha.
The Eco-Retreat, the eastern India’s first ‘Glamping’ festival, offers a unique blend of premium glamourous camping, luxury and heritage and nature to tourists.
The glamourous camping, which would have all luxurious amenities, is scheduled to be held from Saturday to January 31, 2020.
There would be 50 luxury cottages, delectable cuisine, beach spa, adventure and water sports activities, nature trails and wholesome day itineraries, cultural evenings etc.
The festival aims at promoting the Puri-Konark marine drive’s potential as a premium beach holiday destination.
In May this year, the coast of the State was battered by the Cyclone Fani which caused immense damage to flora and fauna and infrastructure of the state. However, the State Government worked well to get back on its feet just weeks after the tragedy.
The marine drive eco-retreat has been developed as an environmentally sustainable model incorporating best practices in material utilisation, zero liquid and sewerage discharge and holistic waste management, said Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi earlier.
The eco-retreat will accommodate 150 participants at a time.
Besides these exclusive facilities, the eco-retreat comprises a food festival and a beach market. There would be water sports which will be accessible to day visitors at affordable entry prices.
One can experience a unique luxurious accommodation with rich thematic ambience, a dedicated dining area and multiple options of staying at the luxury cottages replete with facilities like air-conditioner, television, sofa sets as per your requirement.