With 27 years of experience garnered in some of the top hospitality brands across India, Onkar Singh is the Vice President of Hospitality and Wellness Operations at Fazlani Natures Nest. With an extensive experience in hotel operations, along with diverse associations with a number of hospitality bigwigs, Singh is responsible for overseeing the entire operations of Fazlani Natures Nest, creating the scope for enhanced revenue share and establishing the resort as a go-to wellness destination for discerning travellers seeking a one-of-its-kind wellness experience.
Singh in his earlier roles has been associated with Atmantan Wellness Resort as its General Manager. In his illustrious career, Singh has also served hotels including Hyatt Raipur, Hyatt Regency Pune, Park Hyatt Goa Resort, The Leela Kempinski Bangalore and Taj Holiday Village Resort Goa.
“Adopt the Pace of Nature, Her Secret is Patience.”
Onkar Singh, Vice President of Hospitality and Wellness Operations at Fazlani Natures Nest.
Today he brings to us a candid conversation on the growth and strategies of wellness tourism in India, The role of nature and organic architecture in wellness resorts and his take on sustainable practices in the hospitality industry.
Q. How is Fazlani Natures Nest positioning itself in the hospitality industry?
Fazlani Natures Nest is a holistic wellness retreat that has created an enviable reputation for offering integrated healing treatments from recognized alternative healthcare principles. Every guest is provided with genuine and authentic therapies to align their lifestyle towards a balanced state of wellness. An extremely important aspect of Fazlani Natures Nest’s wellness approach is its closeness to mother nature which transcribes into a calm environment – detrimental to various wellness treatments.
The resort is designed as a rich ecosystem complimented with organic farms, meditative corners, a bird park, an expansive rose garden, and a horse ranch, creating an idyllic setting to evoke a feeling of oneness with nature.
Q. These days, people want to do things that benefit both their physical and mental wellbeing. How is your retreat positioned to meet such aspirations of travellers?
As mentioned above, our approach towards wellness is holistic which pays equal importance to both physical and mental wellbeing of our guests. So, in terms of physical wellbeing we utilize traditional approaches like Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Yoga practices along with an active life to address various health conditions. On the other hand, some of the therapies offered at Fazlani Natures Nest are also one-of-its-kind available in the country for example “Equine therapy” – Which is an experiential treatment method that uses the connection between people and horses to enhance physical or emotional healing.
The fact that the resort offers a wide range of nature-based activities has a therapeutic effect on the mental health of our guests. The resort is spread across 68 acres of land and the guests can indulge in activities like nature walks, bullock cart rides, goat milking or a simple walk in the farm to name a few. The serenity of the location transports one into a world of fantasy with a guided tour into one of the largest rose gardens in the country. One can simply say that Fazlani Natures Nest is an oasis of calmness.
Q. What are the special wellness methodologies offered at Fazlani Natures Nest?
Every guest is provided with authentic customized lifestyle rebalance plans after consultation with specialists.
Our approach at “Fazlani Natures Nest” is to offer an evidence based integrated health care approach which complements modern medicine with alternative medicine and therapies such as age-old principles of Ayurveda and Naturopathy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture/ Acupressure etc after in depth diagnostic, to help our guests achieve their goals and develop their full potential.
A number of wellness therapies offered at Fazlani Natures Nest are unique like Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and Healing by Affection. These practices yield positive results immediately since the animals create a strong bond with the human and help them by giving a sense of calmness, safety, comfort and warmth.
Therapeutic experiences can include walking, brushing, petting and caring for a horse. Animals are accepting, non-threatening and non-judgmental, making it easier for people to open up and heal from within. Similar stress-busting activities involving birds and other livestock are also available. You can feed birds, pet a pony or even milk a goat and experience how each of these activities has a tension-relieving effect on the body and mind.
Then there is a multitude of healing methodologies offered at our Amarine Medi spa like Heliotherapy or light therapy which is a treatment that uses exposure to sunlight or artificial wavelengths of light to cure numerous diseases and disorders. It mainly focuses on using the healing properties of natural light from the sun. Guests suffering from conditions like arthritis and related rheumatic complaints can opt for Hydrotherapy. In this therapy water is used for facilitating movement, promoting joint healing and relieving pain.
Chromotherapy is the science of using colours to adjust the body vibrations to frequencies that result in health and harmony. Each colour possesses frequencies of a specific vibration, and each vibration is related to different physical symptoms.
Q. What is the role of nature and organic agriculture in the wellness programme offered here?
“Adopt the Pace of Nature, Her Secret is Patience.” At Fazlani Natures Nest we strongly feel that nature and wellness go hand in hand. Overlooking the majestic mountains of the Western Ghats, surrounded by dense green lands and home to abundant flora and fauna, the resort offers a breath-taking display of lush green lawns beside the azure lake waters that surround the expanse from three sides.
The wellness resort truly draws on the restorative powers of nature to help rejuvenate the body, soul and mind. Every feature of this beautiful sanctuary aims at leading the guest into a world of conscious wellbeing where life is changed and enriched ensuring that a stay here is curative in the fullest sense.
At Fazlani Natures Nest the food on your plate is the healthiest and freshest because one can actually take a walk and see the ingredients grown on over 30 acres of organic farming and fruit orchards in the vicinity of the resort.
Our farm-to-table concept reflects seasonality and ensures the organic food which is cooked avoiding any over process is the best for your body. Imagine yourself plucking a juicy Guava and biting into it immediately. The joy one feels can only be experienced not explained.
Q. What is the future for wellness tourism in India?
The Global Wellness Institute has stated that wellness tourism is slated to grow at an average annual rate of 7.5 per cent during 2022. This is higher than the projected 6.4 per cent rate for the annual growth of overall global tourism. Post pandemic, it has been seen that never before were yoga and wellness retreats so much in demand. Travelling now has taken on an additional flavour of holistic well-being, nutrition and rejuvenation.
People are increasingly realising that health is true wealth and that short breaks from work are vital to boost one’s mental and physical wellbeing. India is globally known for traditional healing practices like Yoga and Ayurveda.I am glad to add that wellness in India is going beyond Kerala or Rishikesh and international tourists are now also opting for wellness retreats located in other states like Fazlani Natures Nest. Saying so, I would like to add that India has the potential to attract far more international tourists if the wellness aspect of the country is marketed strongly in overseas markets.
Q. Sustainability has become of paramount importance for both hospitality players and travellers in the pandemic world? How do you look at sustainability?
Fazlani Natures Nest beautifully intertwines with the surrounding serene nature. In fact, it is an ‘unhindered’ coexistence very few properties across the country are able to achieve. Sustainability in Fazlani Natures Nest is not just about waste management or choosing cleaning products wisely with minimum impact on the environment, it goes way beyond.
Sustainability is reflected in every existential and operational aspect of the resort which sprawls over 68 acres of land.
Besides the large-scale organic farming, all waste generated in the kitchen is recycled. Every care is taken to ensure that no pollution enters the clear water of the lake or disturbs the flora and fauna of the wilderness all around. The resort also uses local produce and employs labour from the village to safeguard livelihood of the locals. Eco friendly practices like using solar energy for water heating, rainwater harvesting, using LED bulbs, conversion of organic waste into vermicompost, drip irrigation for farming and using products made from natural materials like bamboo for our room amenities are rigorously followed.
Besides taking care of the planet we also believe in taking care of the society we live in. With this in mind The Fazlani International School established by Hon’ble Chairman Dr. Abdul Kader Fazlani in the Year 2006 is a part of the ecosystem. The “Fazlani Natures Nest” was a later Addition and School became an important part of the retreat day to day activities giving our guests who come for healing experiences an opportunity to participate in evening sports activities during game hours with Kids or share their knowledge and Wisdom with students as a guest lecturer.
