India’s largest hospitality company, IHCL has signed a Tree of Life resort at Chilika Lake in Odisha. This signals the brand’s first entry into the coastal state, adding a boutique property to its portfolio and showing its effort to capture demand in destinations that remain largely unexplored.
New Footprints
The upcoming property will feature 30 rooms situated directly on the banks of Chilika Lake, offering unobstructed views of the water body. The boutique resort will include an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, a lawn, a swimming pool, a spa, and a dedicated meeting room designed to cater to both leisure travelers and small corporate groups.
The decision to establish a presence in this specific region comes at a time when domestic travelers are looking beyond traditional vacation hubs. The hospitality sector has observed a distinct change in consumer preferences, with an increasing number of vacationers seeking quiet environments that offer privacy and proximity to wildlife.
Rising Hubs
"The rising preference for nature-led, lesser-explored destinations reflects a shift in how guests are choosing to travel," stated Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President of Real Estate and Development at IHCL. She added that the property represents a broader business strategy aimed at securing market share in eco-tourism corridors.
"Tree of Life is anchored in immersive stays that are closely connected to their setting. Marking the brand’s entry into Odisha, this signing aligns with our strategy to expand in destinations with a strong experiential appeal. We are pleased to partner with Sanjay Gadodia for this project," Venkatesh said.
The project is being developed in partnership with Scania Steels and Powers Limited, a regional player looking to diversify into the hospitality infrastructure sector. The project utilizes a greenfield model, allowing the developers to build the resort from scratch to meet modern eco-friendly construction guidelines.
Natural Assets
Chilika Lake is recognized as Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and ranks as the second-largest coastal lagoon globally. The destination remains a critical ecological site, functioning as a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status. It serves as a major wintering ground for migratory birds, hosting more than 160 distinct species, alongside sustaining the population of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin.
This ecological wealth creates unique challenges and opportunities for infrastructure development. Hospitality projects near sensitive wetlands require strict adherence to environmental regulations to prevent damage to the marine and freshwater ecosystems. The design of the resort will reportedly focus on low-impact construction to maintain compliance with local environmental mandates while providing premium amenities.
Regional Tourism
"We are happy to partner with IHCL to bring the Tree of Life brand to Chilika Lake," said Sanjay Gadodia, Director of Scania Steels and Powers Limited. He emphasized that the collaboration aims to elevate the hospitality infrastructure standards in the state while preserving the characteristics of the local geography. "This development will reflect the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region," Gadodia noted during the announcement.
The entry of an established brand like IHCL is expected to stimulate economic activity in the surrounding district, creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for local communities. Industry analysts suggest that branded properties in ecological zones help regularize tourist inflows throughout the year, reducing the impact of seasonal drops in business.
About IHCL
Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service. These include Taj, the iconic brand for the most discerning travelers; SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels; Vivanta, sophisticated upscale hotels; Ginger, which is shifting the lean luxe segment; and Tree of Life, which specializes in boutique escapes in offbeat destinations.
This company was established by the founder of Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the company opened its first hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903. IHCL has a portfolio of hotels across globally recognized destinations, spanning multiple continents and countries.
