Tag Archives: GTDC

Indian Ambassadors to Croatia, Iceland and Israel have extended an invitation to Goa to promote its tourism products in their respective countries. Welcoming  the  initiatives  for  an exchange  of tourism ties between  Goa  and Croatia,  Iceland and Israel, Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Nilesh Cabral, spoke about Goa’s new tourism  initiatives  recently launched by GTDC. He also impressed on Goa Tourism’s efforts made to augment tourism infrastructure, safety measures and hygiene for tourists visiting Goa. Cabral said, “We would also  like travel and tour operators  from Croatia,  Iceland and  Israel to visit Goa to witness and experience the various tourism facets so that they go back and  enthuse their nationals to visit this State. Goa is now a 365 day tourist destination. We have recently launched a new interactive Website and Mobile App which enables tourists to access information on Goa and plan their vacations accordingly at the click of a button.” Representatives from the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) were also present for the interaction session where several suggestions and ideas were shared on promoting tourism and cultural ties between Goa and the three countries. Insights were also given into monsoon tourism and night life in Goa.

Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) website will be made into an online booking portal to allow tour operators and tourists to sell and book packages to Goa at discounted rates. Private tour operators will be provided a login ID which will allow them to load their packages into the system and sell them based on commission rates, built into the portal. “We will be the first tourism board to launch such a service. A tourist can combine various activities with the packages like hot air balloon ride, paragliding, bungee jumping amongst other new products on the website, making Goa a 365-day destination. Even though we own the new product offerings, the services will be offered by the private sector where we will only be the facilitator and hand hold them for proper delivery,” said Nikhil Desai, Managing Director, GTDC. Goa Tourism is expecting at least 400,000 tourists to visit the state over three days during Goa Carnaval from February 6-9, 2016, Desai said during a press conference in New Delhi. Dilip Parulekar, Goa Tourism Minister, was also present. Parulekar said, “Goa Carnaval is one-of-a-kind event and people come from all over the globe. While the spirit of this celebration is contagious, we have taken into account aspects of safety, security and cleanliness which will ensure that the celebration is a truly memorable one.”

Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in association with Goa Tourism Development  Corporation (GTDC) will have a special carnival charter coach from Mumbai during Goa Carnival with a GTDC tour package specially designed for passengers between February 6-9, 2016. This is part of the joint venture between the GTDC and the IRCTC to promote holiday special trains after the Railways Ministry approved the running of special holiday trains to Goa, and an MoU was signed between the two organisations. Bookings for travel on this train are online only. Passengers buying this package will get an opportunity to enjoy the four-day carnival. The Goa Carnival package of five nights and six days will include Standard Comfort and Deluxe priced between Rs 7,695 and 17,395 per pax.

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is gearing up to celebrate its annual festival–the Goa Carnaval 2016 from February 6-9, 2016–that draws a huge amount of international and domestic traffic. This year Goa Tourism is working on a European commission project entitled ‘Destination Carnaval’ to improve the standard and quality of the float parade and performances. The main float parade will be held in the capital city – Panjim on February 6, followed by float parades in the other cities of Margao on February 7, Vasco on February 8 and Mapusa on February 9. GTDC will also organise its annual wine festival called ‘Grape Escapade 2016’ from February 4-8, 2016 at the DB Bandodkar Grounds, Campal.