What was the core idea of the Marine Drive Eco Retreat?
The Marine Drive Eco Retreat is situated by the pristine Ramchandi beach, with the backwaters as a backdrop. There is a sanctuary across the road and Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just a mile away. The experience of staying at the Marine Drive Eco Retreat is unique.
We want to invite tourists to explore India’s best-kept secret. We also need more per-capita expenditure from travelers for the sector to grow exponentially. We have one of the longest coastlines in the country. Activations such as the Marine Drive-Eco Retreat would give a huge facelift to Odisha.
We realized early last year that the Puri-Konark Marine Drive, despite housing a beautiful synthesis of heritage, nature, artistic finesse and food, was largely a day-tourism destination. Its potential as a premium beach destination was underexplored. Given the grave impact of Cyclone Fani, we had fortified our vision with the principle of sustainability. But our quest to develop the destination as an experience-rich beach tourism hub of global standards was undaunted.
The initial brainstorming sessions on beach camping and comparative studies on emerging segments, such as glamping, made us home in on this concept, which has worked wonders in destinations such as Kutch in Gujarat. Right from articulating the vision down to its specifics, to bringing about inter-departmental and multi-stakeholder consensus on the vision, to procuring the services of an experienced event curator, to planning the project development, including resource mobilization and infrastructure works, a lot of intellectuals, human and technological dedication has gone into it.
Why glamping?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Big Fat Indian Wedding
With a slew of initiatives, hotels are ensuring that the wedding day is special for the couple as well as for the hotel's bottom line.
An Organization Of Rainmakers!!!
Rainmakers are revered for their ability to generate income (rain) for an organization by cracking deals, attracting clients/guests and holding on to them; often, for a lifetime... Revenue generation (rainmaking) is the job of everyone on the team.
Hospitality: A Rewarding Career Awaits
Delving into the roles and responsibilities that professionals in the field of hospitality can undertake in carving a rewarding career.
"India is my first baby!"
Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, gets candid.
The Essence of Landscape Architecture
Innovative landscaping can enhance the luxury hospitality experience by enriching guest interaction with the natural world.
Teaching the Art of Tea
The first global tea artist from India, teaching the art of making and drinking fine tea, Susmita Das Gupta talks about her mission to make Indian specialty tea reach a global audience.
Feeding Profits
Food and beverage is driving revenues in hospitality in novel ways as hotels innovate with new-age experiences.
Acing the Revenue Game
Hotels are looking at new avenues to generate revenues that go beyond rooms and food.
The Power of Predictive Maintenance
A strategic approach to enable Indian hotels to become leaders in sustainable hospitality.
Shaping a Sustainable FUTURE
To mark the occasion of World Environment Day this month, we find out how the hospitality industry is paving the way for a greener, healthier tomorrow...