Owned by the Ramapurams, Orange County Resorts and Hotels, opened its first resort at Coorg in 1994, the second one in Kabini in 2007 and later in Hampi as well. In 2017, the company changed its brand name to Evolve Back to reflect its core vision: To be the most sought after, true to the land of origin experience in every product offering and to provide exquisite holiday experiences, while preserving the purity of nature and culture of the land. In an exclusive interview with The Organic Magazine, Thomas Ramapuram, Joint Director -Sales, Evolve Back Resorts talks about the eco experiences the brand offers and how luxury can be responsible.
How organic is the design of Evolve Back resorts?
Our designs reflect the local architecture and culture of the destination. Coorg is the colonial planter’s bungalows, while Kabini is modelled on the Kadu Kuruba Tribal villages. Hampi is a Royal Palace and is inspired by the Vijayanagara Dynasty architecture.
Who is the target customer for Evolve Back?
Our properties appeal to two consumer segments:
- The Discerning traveller who is looking to soak in the experiences that a destination/property has to offer.
- Luxury traveller who has a taste for class and style in terms of Food, Architecture, Intelligent service and conversations.
What are the kind of eco experiences that the resorts offer?
We have numerous experiences on offer in our properties. Most of them can be classified as ‘Eco’ as they are conducted with Sustainability & Spirit of the destination in mind. To name a few, the Plantation tour and the Village Visit in Coorg. The Jungle Safaris by Boat/Vehicle in Kabini and the Historic Trails by our historians at Hampi.
How is the community around these resorts benefitting?
In keeping with our ‘Spirit of the Land’ philosophy, all activities at our resorts are themed around the local culture and traditions. In addition, local artisans, performers and villagers are engaged to conduct activities to entertain and enlighten our guests. Evolve Back is proud to be able to sustain these traditions by providing a platform for these native and regional artists, to perform and celebrate the art forms of their ancestors.
A good number of our employees are from the local community. To the extent possible, We create more employment opportunities for the local community. We will promote local produce and products and use local suppliers wherever possible.
Your thoughts on how luxury can be responsible?
Evolve Back’s business model is built around the philosophy of maintaining a fine balance between a successful business, a great experiential holiday for its customers, a healthy environment and a proud and prosperous local community. Our properties are built to leave the smallest ecological footprint and operate on a ‘high value – low volume’ model, providing authentic local experiences to our guests while engaging extensively with the local community.
