Odisha Channel Bureau
Bhubaneswar: Eco Retreat 2020, Odisha Tourism’s flagship three-month glamping festival, began at five different locations of the State on Wednesday.
While it was the second edition of the Eco Retreat at Konark, Eco Retreats with luxurious tented accommodations were also inaugurated at four other places such as Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi, Hirakud and Satkosia.
All the Eco Retreats were simultaneously inaugurated at five locations in virtual mode by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
“The success of the Eco Retreat model is evident from the enthusiastic response received by each of the Eco Retreats, across diverse locales – Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi, Hirakud, Konark and Satkosia,” said Patnaik.
Eco Retreats 2020 will go a long way in encouraging tourists from across India to explore these beautiful destinations set deep in the hinterlands of Odisha, Patnaik added.
This year, a of total 145 cottages of different categories have been put up at the five locations.
The additional features in the current year at Ramchandi are sea surfing session, parasailing, e-scooter, open air restaurant, beach shack etc.
The Eco Retreats at all the five locations will continue till February 28.
Union Minister of Tourism & Culture Prahlad Singh Patel and Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan also addressed on the occasion through message.
In his message, Union Minister of Tourism opined that the Eco Retreat at Konark and Rann of Kutch are two glamping events in India which have attracted people in the country and outside.
He appreciated the initiative of Odisha government for taking such a novel initiative in organising the eco retreats in five locations amidst the global pandemic situations and wished all success.
Pradhan in his message highlighted the tourism potentials of Odisha and expressed hope that such glamping event will unlock tourism potentials of the State.
Odisha School & Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash, Minister of Sports & Youth Services Tushar Kanti Behera and other guests were present at Konark.
The Eco Retreat at Bhitarkanika was inaugurated in the presence of State Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi and other dignitaries.
The Eco Retreat at Daringbadi was inaugurated in the presence of Kandhamal MP Achyuta Samanta and others.
Similarly, the Eco retreat at Hirakud was inaugurated in the presence of Rohit Pujari, Deputy Chief Whip in the State Assembly and others.
The Eco Retreat at Satkosia was inaugurated in the presence of Debi Prasad Mishra and other dignitaries.
