Goa will soon become country’s culinary capital: Tourism Minister

Tourism Minister Rohan Khaune, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat and GTDC Chairman Kedar Naik at a three-day food festival at Margao.

MARGAO
Stating that culinary tourism is steadily gaining momentum in Goa, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Friday said the State is on course to emerge as the culinary capital of the country, given the rich diversity and popularity of its cuisine.
He was speaking after inaugurating the second three-day Food and Cultural Festival at the Rajendra Prasad Grounds in Margao. The event was inaugurated in the presence of Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat, Chairman of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Kedar Naik, Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar and other dignitaries.
“Goan food — whether it is fish curry, cafreal or reshad — is loved across the world. Tourists, both domestic and international, enjoy the local cuisine whenever they visit Goa. Culinary tourism is slowly taking shape in the State, and soon Goa will be known as the culinary capital of the country because of the variety and quality of cuisine available here,” Khaunte said.
Noting that Goa has long been associated with sun, sand and sea, the Tourism Minister said the government is now promoting tourism beyond beaches, with a focus on wellness tourism, eco-tourism and heritage-based festivals. “Food festivals form an important cultural component of tourism,” he added.
Khaunte also credited PWD Minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat for initiating the food and cultural festival in Margao, saying it would provide a valuable platform for artists and self-help groups to showcase their talent and cuisine.
Addressing the gathering, Kamat thanked the Tourism Minister and the GTDC Chairman for their support in organising the festival. “Last year, the festival was held for two days at the Aquem grounds. Encouraged by the overwhelming public response, we have shifted the venue this year to the Rajendra Prasad Grounds and extended it to three days,” he said, adding that the festival offers artists and self-help groups an opportunity to display their skills and creativity.