PANAJI
As the 4th G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting commenced on Monday, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte unveiled ambitious plan to position the coastal state as a top choice for global travellers. Addressing the delegates, the minister outlined strategies aimed at diversifying tourism offerings and highlighted promoting lesser-explored aspects such as spirituality, health and wellness, eco-tourism, and traditional elements.
The plan also includes long-term branding and awareness campaigns to showcase local events and the natural beauty of the hinterland.
The Goan, in its report on June 13 had mentioned the tourism department’s next big step to promote and revive various adventures and activities. The department has invited bids to introduce 43 new tourism activities in Goa consisting of a wide range of experiences, including caravan tourism, star gazing, etc as well as the revival of seaplanes, Hop On Hop Off tours, Amphibious tours, and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), among others.
At the G20 event, which was also attended by Union Ministers Shripad Naik and G Kishen Reddy, Khaunte spoke about the recent collaboration between the Goa Government and its counterparts in Uttarakhand to enhance tourism landscapes, foster bilateral cooperation in the travel and tourism sector, and facilitate travel. The objective of this collaboration, through an MoU, is to increase the number of tourists visiting both Goa and Uttarakhand.
Khaunte also highlighted the promotion of Goa’s temples among tourists, aligning with the Prime Minister’s “Dekho Apna Desh” (Explore Your Own Country) campaign, which aims to boost domestic tourism.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Cochin Port Authority Dr M Beena announced that international cruise tourism would become operational in November 2023. She further spoke about implementing skill development initiatives in the cruise tourism sector and upgrading infrastructure facilities at Indian ports, including non-major ports, to accommodate larger and longer ships in terms of length, drafts, beam, and capacity.
Dr Beena also suggested the development of theme-based history and culture circuits along the western coast, citing specific locations in Goa such as Rua De Ourem Creek, Sinquerim-Baga, Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim-Keri, Aguada Fort, and the Aguada Jail.
