Tag Archives: Goa Tourism

Highlighting the role of safety initiatives in enhancing Goa’s tourism appeal, Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Goa, said, “The state’s commitment to responsible and regenerative tourism extends to ensuring a secure experience for visitors. The integration of the 1364 tourist helpline and Pink Force reinforces our efforts in making the state a world-class, safe, and traveller-friendly destination.”

Goa has been honoured with two prestigious PATWA International Travel Awards at ITB Berlin 2025, one of the world’s largest travel trade fairs, reaffirming its position as India’s premier tourism destination. The award for Tourism Minister of the Year – India was conferred upon Rohan A Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and governance in advancing Goa’s tourism sector. Goa was also awarded as the Destination of the Year – India, recognising the state’s diverse tourism offerings, sustainability initiatives, and global appeal. The awards were received by Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, on behalf of the Minister at the ceremony held at ITB Berlin. Expressing his gratitude, Khaunte said, “This recognition on a global platform is a testament to our commitment to responsible and innovative tourism. Goa continues to evolve as a world-class destination, offering sustainable, high-value tourism experiences while preserving its rich heritage and natural beauty.” These awards further strengthen Goa’s international positioning and reinforce its appeal as a preferred travel destination for global travellers.  

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, has taken stringent action against a violation of the Goa State Shack Policy 2023-26. Based on a report submitted by the Police Inspector of Mandrem Police Station on January 27, 2025, it was found that Shri. Manuel Espritosanto Fernandes, allottee of Shack No. 4 at Arambol Beach Stretch, had sublet the beach shack in violation of Clause 20 of the policy. In view of this serious breach, the Department has imposed a penalty of ₹25,00,000 and forfeited the security deposit paid by the allottee to the Government Treasury. The shack license issued to Shri. Manuel Espritosanto Fernandes stands cancelled, and the erected Beach Shack No. 4 must be demolished within seven days from the receipt of the order. Failure to comply will result in the Department carrying out the demolition at the cost and risk of the allottee, with expenses recovered as arrears of land revenue. Additionally, Shri. Manuel Espritosanto Fernandes has been permanently blacklisted and debarred from participating in any future shack allotment processes under the Tourism Shack Policy. The Department of Tourism remains committed to upholding transparency and strict enforcement of regulations to maintain the integrity of Goa’s tourism sector.

Claiming that Goa continues to see a surge in tourism, Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director of Goa Tourism, said, “The state saw a notable 21% growth which promises a very positive and promising trend of tourism, with a substantial 54% increase in tourists visiting in December 2024 compared to the same month in 2023. The quarterly growth from October to December stood at 38%.”

Dispelling untruths about tourism in Goa in recent times, Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Govt of Goa said, “The last week of December 2024 saw 200 daily fights. There was 21 per cent growth in tourist arrivals in 2024 over last year. Foreign tourist arrivals into Goa have shown a 3 per cent increase in 2024.”

Highlighting the importance of tourism in boosting Goa’s economy, Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister, Goa, said, “Tourism is the heart of Goa’s economy, supporting numerous livelihoods and providing opportunities for our people. This season has been remarkable, with 4 and 5-star hotels nearly at full capacity, showcasing Goa as a top destination for high-spending travellers and charters from established and emerging markets”.

The Goa Tourism Department has said that the state is increasingly attracting global travellers from many countries. As per media release, new charter flights have been introduced from key markets, including Russian cities Moscow and Ekaterinburg, London, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan to support visitors.

To highlight Goa as an international tourist destination, the state is planning to conduct roadshows in Poland, Georgia, and Kazakhstan. The state’s tourism department is expected to spend ₹2 crore on the roadshows to enhance the foreign tourist influx attracting visitors of all segments and ages.

As part of the global celebrations for World Tourism Day, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) and Skal International, in collaboration with Goa Tourism, have organised a series of exciting and enriching activities on 27th September to highlight Goa’s cultural and historical heritage. With this year’s theme focusing on Tourism & Peace, three exclusive heritage walks have been curated to offer a deep dive into Goa’s rich history and local life. These walks are open to all, providing a unique opportunity to explore Goa like never before. In addition to the heritage walks, an exciting highlight of the celebrations includes the launch of a coffee table book at the cooking competition “Goencho Swad” by the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM). This event not only showcases Goa’s culinary traditions but also adds a literary touch, offering insights into the state’s diverse cultural and gastronomic heritage. Suneel Andhaka, IAS, Director, Tourism & Managing, GTDC stated “World Tourism Day is an opportunity to celebrate not just the beauty of Goa, but the stories, culture, and heritage that make it unique. Through initiatives like the Heritage Walks and the Stakeholders Meet, we aim to promote responsible tourism that respects our environment and communities while offering enriching experiences for travellers.” Jack Sukija, President, Travel & Tourism Association, Goa (TTAG) “These World Tourism Day events are designed to deepen the connection between visitors and Goa’s rich cultural heritage. By exploring our historic sites and engaging with local communities, we aim to foster a more immersive and sustainable approach to tourism that benefits both travellers and locals alike. We will also invite all our stakeholders from the travel trade to celebrate this year at the …

More than 20 travel industry specialists travelled down to Goa onboard FLY91 and were hosted at IHCL’s Goa Resorts during the familiarisation trip.  The familiarisation trip is aimed at promoting Goa, which is focused on sustainable and regenerative tourism, as an immersive leisure tourism destination with diverse potential to host destination weddings and MICE events.  During the familiarisation trip to Goa onboard FLY91, travel operators were acquainted with the airline’s customisable travel arrangements for large travel groups, including weddings and MICE events  In a move aimed at enhancing the Goa experience beyond the state’s beaches, India’s pure-play regional airline, FLY91, has partnered with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) to offer an enriched and multi-faceted travel experience to the coastal state.    To showcase this vision, FLY91 and IHCL recently organised a familiarisation trip for a delegation of leading travel agents and event planners from Hyderabad, that is designed to provide firsthand experience of Goa’s hospitality and regional connectivity, already reckoned as a leading destination for weddings, leisure, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).  As part of the familiarisation trip, the delegation of travel industry stakeholders who flew down to Goa onboard FLY91 were hosted at IHCL’s multiple properties, namely Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa and Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. During the trip the team visited Taj Holiday Village Resort and Spa, Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa.  This collaboration is a key step in building a sustainable tourism model that combines luxury accommodation with seamless travel options, ensuring Goa remains a sought-after destination. It aims to enhance the visitor experience by showcasing that Goa offers much more than just its beaches and …