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With their followers running into well over a hundred thousand people spread across the world, every photo and post shared by these young bloggers was viewed by at least 5,000 followers within a few hours of being uploaded.
Prominent feni sommelier Jeffrey Manuel took the game up a notch by introducing the bloggers to feni one step at a time.
Mac Vaz of Madam Rosa Distillery, while introducing several signature feni and urrak cocktails shared with the bloggers the idea of taking feni to the global stage.
A quick audio visual presentation on the first drink to be registered for a geographical indicator traced its journey from the cashew apple all the way to each stage of distillation, ageing and to the roots of the word ‘feni’ which comes from ‘fen’, the froth formed on the surface of the liquid when shaken.
The bloggers were also offered a wholesome glimpse of the ‘Goan attitude’ with prominent Goan musicial Varun Carvalho hitting up a few melodies along with a trumpeter.
The bloggers, who hail from Brazil, Australia, Canada, Spain, United States, Morocco, Dubai, Netherlands and Mexico, are on a ten-day trip to Goa organized by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation with the aim of showcasing Goa on the multi-faceted digital platforms thereby reaching out to the whole world.
The event ‘#Escape2Goa’ has been hosted in collaboration with social enterprise, Leave UR Mark and is expected to take Goa to the screens of over four million cyber citizens and travelers through at least eight social networking platforms such as instagram, twitter and blogspot.
The 15 bloggers include Brian Baldrati from Brazil, Nicola Easterby from Australia, Brendan Van Son and Scott Rankin from Canada, Claudia Ayuso, Maria Cadepe and Melo from Spain, Kirsten Alana and Erin Marie from United States, Sofiya Benzakour from Morocco, Bouchra Benhalima from Dubai, Nienke from the Netherlands, Emilie Franzo and Megane from France and Alex Tienda from Mexico.
Nikhil Dessai, managing director of GTDC, informed that the fifteen bloggers have been split into three groups; adventure, luxury and food. With itineraries being tailored according to these categories, each of the blogger is soaking in the soul of Goa according to their own taste.
“We have shown them around the forts of Goa, such as Tiracol, Reis Magos, Cabo de Rama, heritage walks, Goan music, handicrafts, churches, scuba diving, paragliding, rock carvings and caves, spice plantations, spas, churches and temples, beaches and everything else that Goa has to offer to travelers,” Desai said while highlighting that this unique and digital tourism promotion initiative itself has turned into a very exciting and successful adventure for its participants and organizers.
The journey that began on November 12 will conclude with a cycling trip to the islands in North Goa.
