Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Odisha Tourism’s premier camping event, Eco Retreat, will take place at various places around the state starting on November 1st, this year. The Eco Retreats at Bhitarkanika and Sonapur beach (Ganjam) will open for visitors on December 1, while those at Putsil, Daringbadi, Hirakud, and Satkosia will open on November 1. On December 15, the Konark Eco Retreat will open. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will essentially open the facilities in the first phase on November 1.
The department chose to start Eco Retreats one month earlier this year than usual because of the holiday season, favorable weather, and increased visitor traffic. Normally, Eco Retreats begin on December 1. The sixth iteration of Eco Retreat Odisha offers luxury, adventure, local culture, delectable Odia food, beautiful folk music, and dance in Konark, Putsil, Sonapur, Daringbadi, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia, and Hirakud.
This time, according to official sources, the department had requests from travel and tour companies in Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam as a result of its recent roadshows in those nations. With the addition of direct flights between Bhubaneswar and Bangkok, Dubai, Singapore, and other overseas destinations, the department anticipates a rise in foreign visitor numbers this year.
This season, business events and group reservations at the retreats are also the main focus. While all the facilities at the seven destinations have shacks within the properties, an additional beach shack-cum-restaurant will be opened at Konark for day visitors.This apart, Odisha Travel Bazaar will be held at Eco Retreat Konark in February. The event will focus on B2B meetings between tourism fraternity, domestic and foreign tour operators.The flagship camping event will remain open for 90 days.
