Eco Retreat Odisha has reopened across six locations for the 2024–2025 tourism season, bringing back the state’s annual glamping initiative that blends outdoor adventure with tented accommodations.
Organized by Odisha Tourism, the program operates each year during the peak travel months, typically December through February, with various destinations launching as weather and regional conditions allow.
State officials describe the retreat as an effort to showcase natural landscapes while boosting local economies through tourism-driven activity.
State Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Smt. Pravati Parida highlighted the initiative’s goals in a public message, calling Eco Retreat Odisha “a truly unforgettable experience… where every destination tells a new story of beauty.”
Her remarks reflect the state’s continued positioning of glamping as a strategic way to promote lesser-known outdoor destinations while offering experiences that are compatible with sustainability and low-impact infrastructure.
According to Odisha+, this season’s retreats operate in Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi, Hirakud, Putsil, Satkosia, and Sonapur. Each site features temporary luxury tents, curated activities, and nature-based programming.
At Bhitarkanika, guests stay near the mangrove ecosystem inside Bhitarkanika National Park, with guided creek tours that highlight crocodile habitats and migratory bird activity.
The Daringbadi location, situated 3,000 feet above sea level, offers access to pine forests, valleys, waterfalls, and coffee plantations, positioning it as a cooler-climate option for domestic travelers.
The Hirakud retreat overlooks the reservoir near the world’s longest earthen dam, where guests can join excursions exploring submerged cultural sites and historic narratives tied to the region.
In the Eastern Ghats, the Putsil retreat offers access to forests, valleys, and waterfalls, emphasizing quiet, scenic environments.
At Satkosia, located at the meeting point of the Eastern Ghats and the Deccan Plateau, the retreat sits near the Mahanadi River gorge, a Ramsar site known for wildlife trails and proximity to the Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
The Sonapur retreat provides accommodations near a Blue Flag–certified beach at the Bahuda River mouth, focusing on coastal recreation and water-based activities.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality and glamping sector, Eco Retreat Odisha offers a model of large-scale, government-supported pop-up hospitality that demonstrates how temporary lodging can activate remote or protected natural areas without permanent construction.
The program also illustrates how seasonal events can extend tourism interest beyond traditional destinations, create revenue opportunities for local vendors, and test the viability of emerging outdoor markets.
As Eco Retreat Odisha continues its annual rollout, the initiative remains a case study in how regional governments can use glamping to diversify tourism offerings, distribute visitor traffic across multiple sites, and position outdoor accommodations as part of a broader economic development strategy.