5 minute read
Rachel Bowers: A Change of Plan
I am excited to bring you the latest update on our journey with TALĀZ Eco Camps as we continue to grow and evolve in the world of eco glamping and tourism, inspired by industry experts and Eco Resort Network's inspiring speakers.
Here’s a glimpse into our recent developments:
Talāz Progress
Talāz Eco Camp is currently undergoing rapid development. We have recently made significant strides in the first phases of establishing our North American presence. The Talāz brand is about providing holistic ecological camps to the prevailing traveler. We aim to be an industry leader in the transformational shift to eco-friendly hospitality by providing a purely authentic experience for our guests by reconnecting them to nature, loved ones, and themselves.
Talāz has had an exciting past year, we’ve purchased our first premium property, conducted massive amounts of research and due diligence, built-up our brand’s foundational pillars, designed our logo, and launched a website that provides general information about investment opportunities while showcasing our brand’s vision.
Additionally, we have invested countless efforts researching biophilic design and biomimicry, we have enlisted world-class architects to map out our first site plans, conduct schematics and architecture, and are now working with local firms to navigate permitting processes for development. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful and like-minded team of specialized experts working on our flagship project! We’ve recently captured the attention of a couple esteemed operators and are beginning our investor ‘seed round’ in the upcoming weeks.
Although we cannot publicly disclose the exact project location just yet, we can say it’s situated in the western United States, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and year-round recreational activities. The area boasts a nearby glacial lake and world-class skiing, making it a really ideal destination for our flagship location. In the coming years, we will start to map out our brand expansion strategies while branching out into new regions in the United States and Europe. Until then, we will continue to seek out investors for the development of our flagship location with an estimated opening date in 2026.
From Slovenia To Now
My journey, from the very first Eco Resort Network in Slovenia, to the recent summit in Montenegro has been nothing short of transformational. Comparing these events, it’s quite apparent that the delegates and the network itself have grown significantly. From the intimate post-covid beginnings of Eco Resort Network to having now engaging world-class resort owners, renowned ecological architects, and industry maestros in the 2023 Summit, the network has grown exponentially in just a short period of time.
Personally, I have undergone a profound shift with my project as well. In 2022, I pitched a concept to the Eco Resort Network delegates - a modest 16 unit, German boutique hotel concept. I had no brand, no team, just a tenacious vision. Since then, I’ve developed the boutique hotel into a much larger endeavor with the creation of the Talāz brand that is now an “eco glampsite”, with 60+ shelters, in the United States. This overhaul was, in part, inspired by the incredible network of individuals I found through Eco Resort Network who have opened many doors for the Talāz brand.
The encouragement and tenured advice from one particular delegate, David Leventhal, co- founder of Regenerative Retreats, will always stick with me. He blatantly asked me, “How old are you... why don’t you just go big?” And I thought, that’s a great question, maybe I should!
Network Impact
My involvement in this network has been invaluable, to say the least! Connecting with like-minded individuals from around the globe who share my passion for eco resorts has been a game-changer. It can be quite challenging to connect with folks in a small niche! This network is truly unique, the simple fact that members lift each other up to become the best versions of themselves, are open to large amounts of information sharing, and remain long-term allies is truly inspiring.
And of course, one of two particular delegates that influenced the Talāz project directly is the luminary and trusted consultant, Todd Wynne Perry at Montare Hospitality Advisors, who has consulted with absolute transparency (for better or for worse), and on numerous other topics ranging from finding notable operators to conducting site analysis, collectively teaching me the ropes of glamping development.
And secondly, the talented Mike Munt of Apogii Marketing, who helped prepare the Talāz brand, logo, website, and develop our unique name which means giant surge in Romanian and ancient Ottoman Turkish, through numerous marketing workshops and brain mapping projects.
Simply put, Eco Resort Network acts as a catalyst, allowing like-minded individuals from around the globe to gather information, exchange ideas, and collaborate with influential figures. Every network member I have encountered has left me with a meaningful impact, whether it be working directly together or by sharing operational insights, aweinspiring projects and expertise, or even slipping in the “secret sauce” to success. Each member comes with their own fun bag of expertise and influence.
Overall, Eco Resort Network has served as a powerful resource and for that, I am immensely grateful for the continual support and for the growth I endure at each Eco Resort Network event. As we forge ahead, my devotion to creating extraordinary eco camps will push the boundaries of sustainability and will continue to be inspired by members within Eco Resort Network.
