PANAJI
The Tourism Department is giving serious thought to reduce its dependence on charter arrivals and the current major charter markets “ the UK and Russia “ while seeking to explore new international markets that are interested in outbound tourism.
Addressing a press conference after holding a marathon meeting with the officials concerned, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that experts have identified potential markets for Goa such as the USA, South Korea, Japan, the Middle East, Asia, Germany, and the UAE. To tap these markets, the Goa tourism department is looking at taking part in road shows and travel marts.
“We must focus on these emerging markets and conduct road shows or participate in travel marts. We have contemplated moving forward in this direction,” the minister said.
He reiterated that they are also working at changing the perception of Goa as merely a sun, sand, and sea destination by devising strategies to market various facets of tourism.
Khaunte said that while they are targeting Free Independent Travellers, they also intend to engage with other markets and highlight Goa beyond its beaches by promoting the hinterland, wellness activities, and other tourism verticals.
The department’s efforts to promote festivals like Chikal Kalo and San Joao, which were not adequately marketed in the tourism calendar, were prominent this time. Khaunte also revealed that in order to maintain tourism activity throughout the year, a comprehensive calendar will be created to enable visitors to plan their trips accordingly including different festivals and events that showcase Goan culture and heritage.
In another move, the minister proposed a meeting with the Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, accompanied by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, to request an increase in flights to Goa.
“We require additional flights to Goa. The charter business has provided a balanced approach, but if we want to prioritize quality over quantity, we need to revise our plans and work with the recommendations from the Goa Tourism Board... We are eager to meet the civil aviation minister to enhance connectivity with emerging markets,” he said.
In the meeting on Thursday, the Board also appointed former President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) and prominent business Advocate Francisco Braganza as its Vice Chairman. Four empowered committees for new tourism services, infrastructure, marketing and PR, and legislation were also formed.
During the meeting, discussions were also held about increasing police presence to address the issue of illegal touts and hawkers, among other illegal activities as well as ensuring the overall safety and security of visitors on the beaches.
