Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo, had earlier objected to helicopter joyrides taking off from Aguada saying that it will only attract Indian tourists and if they go for helicopter rides, then they wouldn’t be taking jet skis and that would affect local businesses.
Lobo had even said that the state government was piggybacking on tourists who already come to the Aguada belt and it should rather keep the belt clean and focus on European tourists, who had stopped coming to Goa.
This time, GTDC has chosen Park Hyatt in South Goa for the re-launch of this new initiative. Nilesh Cabral, chairman of GTDC, said, “We now have helicopter rides and hot air balloons, which will serve as huge attractions for tourists to Goa. There is a lot more to come in the months ahead and we are optimistic that all these new initiatives will go a long way in putting Goa on the map for world class adventure and leisure tourism”
On the first day of re-launch, as many as 75 passengers availed of the joy rides from the new site.
Shobhit Sawhney, general manager, Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, said, “The heli-tourism will be an enthralling experience for our discerning guests and visiting tourists and we are looking forward to many more new beginnings with GTDC.”
‘Helicopter Joy Rides’ are being provided by Heli “ Tourism, which is a joint -venture between GTDC and Pawan Hans. Pawan Hans is the largest helicopter operator in India
Fr Conceicao, parish priest of Taleigao, blessed the helicopter services in the presence of officials from GTDC, Pawan Hans and Park Hyatt “ Goa.
