tourism minister goa

Call Us: +91-0832-2494204

Email:dir[hypen]tour[dot]goa[at]nic[dot]in

Tourism Helpline: 1364

Department of Tourism

Government of Goa

The Organization

The Administrative Heads of the Department:

Minister Tourism

Govt. of goa..

Secretary Tourism

Shri sanjeev ahuja, ias..

The Tourist Information Centres/Counter are located within the State and in Mumbai (temporarily closed). The Zonal Officers are primarily responsible for monitoring the Registration of Tourist Trade under the Tourist Trade Act, 1982.

Details of Public Grievance Officer:

Name: Shri Kuldeep U. Arolkar. Designation:  Dy. Director of Tourism, Head Office, Panaji Address:   Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, Paryatan Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, Goa – 403001. Phone: 0832-2494223/8975781333 …………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name:  Shri Dhiraj Vagle. Designation:  Dy. Director of Tourism, South Zone Office, Margao . Address:   Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, South Zone Office, Block No. 43, Ground Floor, Mathany Saldanha Administrative Complex, Margao, Goa – 403601. (South Zone Office) Phone:  0832-2494208 /0832-2794635

Goa Tourism Minister On Vision to Turn Indian Beach Destination Into Digital Nomad Hub

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

June 17th, 2024 at 8:48 AM EDT

Swapping its beaches, party, and nightlife image for a digital nomad haven, Goa's got plans beyond just sand and surf — think laptops and lattes.

Peden Doma Bhutia

Think of Goa and what comes to mind? Beaches, nightlife, and parties. Goa’s Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte welcomes this image, but he wants travelers to see beyond it.

The smallest state in India aims to be ahead of the curve (at least for India) in attracting remote workers.

More than 50 countries now offer digital nomad visas, with South Korea , Japan , and Thailand the latest in Asia to cater to this growing segment.

In an exclusive interview with Skift, Khaunte shared Goa’s thinking: “Digital nomads represent a high-spending segment that significantly boosts the local economy. We already host over 10,000 digital nomads from within India, and we aim to increase this number by creating the ideal environment for remote work,” Khaunte said.

He said digital nomads spend about 35% of their income in the destination making them a valuable addition to the state’s economy. “We must not miss the bus on this,” he said.

According to a KPMG report, approximately 35% of the state’s population is involved in direct jobs in the tourism sector.

Attracting Digital Nomads

To draw in digital nomads, Goa plans to roll out high-speed internet across its rural areas and create coworking spaces along its iconic beaches. “By next year, we should have the infrastructure in place with beachside co-working spaces and high-speed internet to attract digital nomads and freelancers who don’t follow a typical 9-5 schedule,” Khaunte explained.

Goa’s IT Department rolls out the Red Carpet to the concepts of Workation, Co-Working Spaces & Digital Nomads. Our World Famous Beaches will now promote Creative Work Spaces along with the Sun, Sand & Surf. #WorkationGoa #InvestGoa2022 pic.twitter.com/Q2kr4Yq5ty — Rohan Khaunte (@RohanKhaunte) October 10, 2022

Building Infrastructure

Goa aims for 100% internet connectivity, making even the most remote villages accessible to digital nomads and enhancing the appeal of its homestay programs. Reliable internet in rural areas could encourage tourists to explore Goa’s hinterlands.

These initiatives are part of a broader effort to promote Goa as a versatile and immersive destination for long-term stays.

With over 900 million internet users, India is the second largest online market in the world, behind China. Despite the large number and a consistent increase in accessibility, internet penetration in the country is just under 50%, which is below the worldwide average . As of April 2024, India was also the country with the largest offline population worldwide – around 643 million people without internet connection.

Promoting Goa as a digital nomad haven also means showcasing India, according to the tourism minister. “Digital nomads typically don’t stay in one place for more than three months, so they’re likely to explore multiple destinations within the country. This broader movement within India could enhance tourism nationwide, benefiting various regions beyond Goa,” Khaunte noted.

A Wishlist from Digital Nomads

Speaking on the Skift India Travel Podcast last year, Mayur Sontakke, the founder of NomadGao, a co-living and coworking space for digital nomads in India, said that important factors when choosing a destination for remote workers include reliable internet, a supportive community and favorable weather.

Sontakke noted that challenges like power outages and internet issues still pose significant hurdles in promoting India as a digital nomad destination.

Sontakke chose Goa to open his first co-living and coworking space for digital nomads in Indian in 2019.

In 2018-19, he also worked with the Goa government. “The Goa government was very proactive, that gave me the confidence to settle in Goa to start a digital nomad focused coworking and co-living venture.”

The Challenges

Sontakke acknowledged that Goa faces tough competition from other Asian destinations like Bali, Phuket, and Da Nang.

Among the challenges, he pointed to transportation bottlenecks: “The public buses are very few and uncomfortable, while taxis overcharge. Mass tourism and rapid urbanization have put additional strain on the region.”

Despite these challenges, Goa has the potential to become a digital nomad hub, said Sontakke. Other destinations have successfully navigated similar obstacles. To improve the situation, the state government could introduce a digital nomad kiosk at the airport, providing SIM cards and essential information, he said.

“We are already in talks with the state government about the possibility of aggregating the digital nomad friendly stays Goa for better discovery,” he said.

Digital Nomad Visa

Goa is also advocating for a digital nomad visa from the Indian government. This visa would allow digital nomads to stay in Goa — and anywhere else in India — for up to a year while working remotely for foreign-based employers or freelancing.

The concept of a digital nomad visa has gained traction globally, said Sontakke. “These visas allow for longer stays and address tax concerns, attracting remote workers. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan have already launched their versions. A pan-India digital nomad visa could significantly boost Goa’s and India’s appeal to long-term visitors, who contribute to the local economy and bring valuable skills and knowledge.”

Currently, India offers a long-term, multi-entry visa, but it’s intended for tourism purposes only. “There are challenges, but turning them into opportunities can benefit the entire country. Digital nomads contribute not only economically but also in capacity and talent building,” Khaunte said.

Asked if he expects the digital nomad visa to become a reality soon, Khaunte said, “We Goans are always positive!”

The Daily Newsletter

Our daily coverage of the global travel industry. Written by editors and analysts from across Skift’s brands.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: asia monthly , beach holidays , business travel , coworking , digital nomads , goa , korea , online , remote work , thailand , visas

Photo credit: Goa, a popular beach destination in India, is making efforts to attract remote workers. Vijay Kumar Gaba / Unsplash

Friday | Aug 23 2024 |

Goa Tourism Minister experiences whitewater rafting in Mhadei

• # Tourism Minister
• # Whitewater Rafting
• # Kuldeep Arolkar
• # Shawn Mendes
• # Neville Noronha
• # Deepak Narvekar
• # Rohan A Khaunte

Goa's Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte participated in the thrilling experience of whitewater rafting at Mhadei River, Valpoi recently, highlighting the government's commitment to showcasing the diverse and sustainable tourism opportunities within Goa's hinterlands. The activity effectively spotlighted the state's hinterlands, demonstrating that Goa offers much more than its famous beaches. Accompanying the Minister were Deputy Director Tourism Kuldeep Arolkar; OSD to Minister (Tourism) Shawn Mendes; OSD to Minister (IT) Neville Noronha; Deputy General Manager & PRO Deepak Narvekar and other government officials who explored Nature trails, enjoyed adventure sports like river rafting and engaged in immersive cultural experiences, showcasing the rich diversity of the region.

“Goa has always been known for its beaches, coastal life, and vibrant party scene, but there is so much more to discover. Today, we experienced river rafting in Valpoi, Sattari — a refreshing and rejuvenating activity. It's a perfect adventure for everyone, whether visiting with friends or family, offering a deeper understanding of what Goa truly represents. Beyond our beautiful coastline, we have a rich ecological life, expansive hinterlands, adventure sports, wellness activities, and more. This complements the Goan spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava , where we extend our warmest hospitality. Come and explore a new side of tourism — Goa Beyond Beaches, the hinterlands, innovative tourism services and the thrill of river rafting,” said Khaunte. 

The Tourism Minister's participation in the river rafting event underscored his dedication to promoting sustainable tourism in Goa. His involvement served as a testament to the government's commitment to developing tourism in a way that benefits local communities and the environment. The experience successfully highlighted the importance of regenerative tourism practices in Goa. These practices ensure that tourism activities contribute positively to the environment, local economy, and communities, ultimately leaving a lasting and beneficial impact on the region.

The practices that contribute to wildlife conservation, the preservation of local flora, and the promotion of spiritual and religious tourism, play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region. As the state continues to promote and embrace the diverse offerings of Goa beyond its beaches, the Department of Tourism encourages everyone to discover the hidden treasures of its hinterlands, where Nature, culture and adventure converge in harmony.

Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on our latest news

Subscribe Now!

• International
• Food and Drink
• Places of Interest
• Sustainable
• What's new
• Celebrating People
• Hall of Frame
• Responsible Tourism
• MP on my Mind
• MP Wellness

Visitors Flocking Goa Even In Monsoon; Tourist Footfall Touches 1 Crore Mark, Says Minister Rohan Khaunte

Goa witnessed a sudden surge in tourist footfall during the recently concluded tourist season, surpassing the one-crore milestone. Addressing concerns about declining footfall, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte emphasised that international arrivals have soared by 150 per cent compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Acknowledging competitive pressures from other states and international destinations, Khaunte underscored Goa's resilience beyond the traditional tourist season, highlighting sustained visitor interest even during the monsoon months. He added that during the monsoon season, Goa usually sees an impressive 80 per cent hotel occupancy, reflecting a growing realisation that the state offers more than just beaches.

Khaunte asserted that they have exceeded 10 million visitors, dispelling notions of a tourist downturn, marking an increase from previous years. Looking forward, Khaunte outlined strategic initiatives to diversify Goa's tourism appeal and engage new markets, emphasising collaborative efforts with stakeholders to implement a comprehensive tourism vision.

Amidst competitive challenges, including those posed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Dekho Apna Desh' initiative, Khaunte stressed the need to maintain affordability, particularly during peak seasons like December. He added that discussions with airlines and the hospitality sector are being initiated to stabilise tariffs during peak tourist periods. Reflecting on the broader impact of tourism beyond beaches, Khaunte highlighted Goa's monsoon attractions, such as waterfalls, verdant villages, and rural tourism, which contribute significantly to the local economy.

Related Stories

We use cookies to ensure best experience for you

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalize content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audience is coming from. You can also read our privacy policy , We use cookies to ensure the best experience for you on our website.

• Leaders Speak
• Brand Solutions
• Goa turns focus to regenerative tourism; 11 sites identified for development

• Gagneet Kaur ,
• ETTravelWorld
• Updated On Jan 12, 2024 at 10:17 AM IST

Is Lakshadweep ready to become the new Maldives?

As the attention shifts to the West Coast archipelago in India with an evident uptick in Google search traffic, EMT pausing Maldives bookings and ixigo experiencing a 2900% spike in Lakshadweep travel searches, the crucial question arises: should we look at Lakshadweep as an alternative to Maldives? Sustainability experts say No.

• By Gagneet Kaur ,
• Published On Jan 11, 2024 at 11:00 AM IST

All Comments

By commenting, you agree to the Prohibited Content Policy

Find this Comment Offensive?

• Foul Language
• Inciting hatred against a certain community
• Out of Context / Spam

Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals

Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis., download ettravelworld app.

• Get Realtime updates
• Save your favourite articles

• ekadasha teertha campaign
• department of tourism
• rohan a. khaunte
• tourism & it minister
• suneel anchipaka
• regenerative tourism
• Goa Tourism

• Latest News
• NEET PG Result 2024 Live Updates
• Kolkata Rape-Murder Case Hearing Live
• Gold Rates Today
• Mutual Funds
• Weather Update
• Share Market Live
• TVS Jupiter 110 Launch Live

• Business News
• Goa launches new model of regenerative tourism
• Loksabha Election
• Budget 2024
• Stock Market Quotes
• Mutual Fund
• Stock Stats
• Top Gainers
• CaFE Invest
• Investing Abroad
• Gold Rate in India
• Silver Rate in India
• Petrol Rate in India
• Diesel Rate in India
• Express Mobility
• Banking & Finance
• Travel & Tourism
• Brand Wagon
• Entertainment
• Web Stories
• Auto Web Stories
• Infographics
• Today’s Paper
• International
• Edits & Columns
• Personal Finance Print
• PRIVACY POLICY
• TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• IPO’s Open and Upcoming 7
• Top Indices Performance
• Stock Analysis
• Stock Market Stats
• Financial Literacy
• Gold Rate Today
• NSE Top Gainers 1645
• NSE Top Losers 1000
• BSE Top Gainers 2944
• BSE Top Losers 1926
• NSE 52-Week High 0
• NSE 52-Week Low 0
• BSE 52-Week High 0
• BSE 52-Week Low 0
• NSE Price Shocker
• NSE Volume Shocker
• BSE Price Shocker
• BSE Volume Shocker
• NSE Sellers
• BSE Sellers
• Silver Rate Today
• Petrol Rate Today
• Diesel Rate Today

Popular Keywords

Recent searches clear all, session expired, please login to continue., fourth g20 tourism working group meeting and tourism ministers' meeting, goa.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meet held in Goa via video message today.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister invoked the spirit of Incredible India and said that the tourism ministers rarely get a chance to be tourists themselves even though they are handling a sector worth over two trillion dollars globally.

The Prime Minister said that India’s approach to tourism is based on the ancient Sanskrit verse ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah’ which means ‘Guest is God’. The Prime Minister informed that India during its G-20 presidency is organizing nearly 200 meetings in 100 different locations all over the country making every experience different from the other. “If you ask your friends who have already visited India for these meetings, I am sure that no two experiences will be alike”, he added.

The Prime Minister underlined that India’s efforts in the tourism sector are centered on preserving its rich heritage while creating a world-class infrastructure for tourism. Noting that India attracts pilgrims of every major religion of the world, the Prime Minister emphasized the development of spiritual tourism as one of the focus areas. He informed that the infrastructure upgrade in the eternal city of Varanasi, one of the major spiritual centers, led to a ten-fold increase in pilgrims taking the number to 70 million today. He also underlined that India is creating new tourist attractions and gave the example of the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world, which attracted about 2.7 million tourists within a year of its inauguration. The Prime Minister expressed happiness that India is also recognizing the relevance of the tourism sector for the speedy achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

“Terrorism divides but Tourism unites”, the Prime Minister remarked. He said that tourism has the potential to unite people from all walks of life thereby creating a harmonious society. Shri Modi expressed happiness that a G20 Tourism dashboard is being developed in partnership with UNWTO which will be a first-of-its-kind platform bringing together best practices, case studies and inspiring stories. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the deliberations and the  ‘Goa Roadmap’ would multiply the collective efforts to realize tourism’s transformative power. “The motto of India's G20 Presidency, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ - ‘One Earth,  One Family, One Future’ can itself be a motto for global tourism”, he added.

Click here for complete text of PM address

The Fourth Tourism Working Group meeting of G20 and the G20 Tourism  Ministers’ meeting ended in Goa today.  

The Ministers’ meeting was graced by Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and DoNER Shri G.Kishan Reddy; Minister of State for Tourism Shri Shripad Yesso Naik and Minister of State for Tourism Shri Ajay Bhatt . Ministers of G20 countries and delegates from G20 countries, invitee countries and International organisations attended the meeting.

Addressing the Ministers’ meeting Shri G.Kishan Reddy welcomed  the Tourism Ministers and Head of Delegations from G20 member countries, guest countries, and International Organizations.

The minister said that we are all aware of the immense significance of the G20 and its role in global governance. The G20 brings together the world's leading economies to address key challenges and promote sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth, he added. Shri G.Kishan Reddy further said that through our collective efforts, we can harness the power of tourism to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Highlighting the achievements of Tourism working group meetings, the minister informed that there were extensive discussions on the  5 priorities of  Green Tourism, digitalization, Skills, Tourism MSMEs and Destination Management. There were  insightful presentations by G20 member countries, shedding light on their contributions to the five priority areas, he added.  

He remarked that Ministry of Tourism organized a series of events on the sidelines of the meetings of Tourism Working Group.  These events have been instrumental in promoting sustainable and diverse tourism in which various themes have been explored, such as Rural Tourism, Archaeological Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Film Tourism, Eco Tourism and Cruise Tourism.  

The minister said that both the outcome documents of G20 Working Group were welcomed. Speaking on Travel for LiFE , Shri G.Kishan Reddy said that  "Travel for LiFE," incorporated in the GOA Roadmap  is based on our Prime Minister’s visionary initiative 'Mission LiFE,' and urges  individuals to act, to protect the environment against the effects of climate change. Travel for LiFE aims to nudge visitors and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage.

Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy welcomed the Goa Roadmap and said, “We welcome the ‘Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a vehicle for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals’ and reaffirms the pivotal role of the 5 key priority areas identified under India’s G20 Presidency for driving development, innovation, and cooperation in the tourism industry.”

In his concluding remarks, he said, “I am also delighted to share that a G20 Tourism and SDG online dashboard will be set up to showcase best practices and case studies of G20 members for achieving progress towards SDGs. This will help the stakeholders learn from the best practices and replicate them.”

 “I would again like to emphasize that by leveraging the power of tourism, we can shape a better world for generations to come”, the minister concluded.

Earlier in the day, a thematic discussion on the ‘Public Private Dialogue: Importance of Travel and Tourism to the G20 Economies’  was organised.

The discussion was addressed by Union Minister Shri G.Kishan Reddy,and Ms Julia Simpson, President and CEO of World Travel and Tourism Council graced the occasion.

Addressing the occasion Shri G. Kishan Reddy said that today Tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economic sectors. We are all aware that tourism is a major source of employment along with several socio-economic benefits such as -Trade, investment, infrastructure development and social inclusion.

He said that tourism employs more women and youth than most other sectors. and it also provides livelihood opportunities to disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.

He added that tourism  should become an investment magnet for both the Private and public sectors and there is a need to innovate, explore new areas and craft new strategies to not only achieve pre-pandemic status but to rise beyond that.

He said that the private sector has a critical role to play in all the 5 priority areas of green tourism, digitalization, skills, MSMEs, and destinations. As we move forward, the Private sector will lead the growth in Tourism and the Public Sector will become an enabler and facilitator.

He added “A sound Public Private Partnership will help in ensuring that sustainability and inclusion are at the heart of investment decisions and future growth”.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024

• Citizen Herald
• Monsoon Session
• Assembly Session
• Goa's watergate
• budget 2021-2020
• fighting covid
• voice of southgoa
• Goa Assembly Polls
• FROM WARDS & VADDOS
• People Edit
• Fly on the wall
• GOA ALLEGRETTO
• By invitation
• HeraldTV Live
• Business With Pleasure
• Ideas For Goa
• Herald on the Ground
• O HERALDO IN PARIS

Tourism stakeholders threaten all Goa bandh in support of Mopa taxi operators

Taxi operators demand that chief minister should meet them on friday at pernem to resolve issues.

Team Herald

• Kala Rakhonn Mandd flays attempt by Kala Academy to intimidate artiste Rajdeep
• Spate of accidents shocks Goa: Workers mowed down on Mandovi Bridge by speeding car
• What are the promises that the Government made to the Goan artistes that were not fulfilled?
• Congress demands stop to Reis Magos IPB project; demands resignation of TCP Minister
• CM is right, but nothing wrong in withdrawal of bills, says Vishwajit

Videos VIEW ALL

First apple farming in goa, idhar udhar.

Header Ad 1

Header Ad 2

• Cover Story
• Starting Young
• Bon Appétit
• What’s Up Goa

Tourism Masterplan and Tourism Policy for Goa shifts from Beaches to Heritage and Hinterlands

The new Tourism Master Plan and Tourism Policy elaborates on the major areas that the State needs to focus on in order to bring quality tourists to Goa.

The State Cabinet approved the Tourism Master Plan and Goa State Tourism Policy 2020, which focuses on nature–based tourism and cultural tourism as one of the many pillars for Goa to reinvent itself as a tourist destination. This policy calls for creation of high-quality infrastructure and facilities which can help attract high-end tourists to Goa’s hinterland. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant made the announcement at a press conference that the State Cabinet has cleared the Tourism Master Plan and Goa Tourism Policy 2020, which was waiting to take shape for many years. The 25-year vision document is the State’s first serious attempt to chalk out a systematic path for the tourism industry. The vision of the Policy is to make Goa the ‘most preferred destination’ around the year for high-spending tourists in India by 2024, and a ‘world class international tourism destination’ by 2030. The Masterplan illustrates the path that Goa should take, emphasizing on its various attributes that have remained out of focus, as the State yielded huge profits by concentrating on its beaches. The Policy further states that regeneration of beaches will also be taken up as many of the beaches in the Northern coastal belt have been exploited due to commercial activity and their conservation won’t be neglected, even while promoting coastal tourism. The Policy states that environmental sustainability shall be the key determinant for coastal tourism development. The Policy also said that the State will pursue blue flag certification or its comparable standard. A recent certification was opposed and Goa lost out on the opportunity to receive the tag while other beaches in India qualified for the certification.

“So far, Goan beaches were an attraction for the tourists. In the Tourism Policy, which was approved by the Cabinet, we will promote ecotourism, hinterland tourism, adventure tourism, education tourism, sports tourism, coastal tourism, culture tourism, heritage tourism and nature based tourism” Manohar Ajgaonkar – Deputy CM / Tourism Minister 

The document lists various aspects that Goa’s tourism sector should concentrate on. The Masterplan is divided into six modules, including development of an action plan to implement previous modules. Deputy Chief Minister Manohar ‘Babu’ Ajgaonkar, who holds the Tourism portfolio, said a Tourism Board comprising stakeholders and various experts would be formed under the Tourism Policy 2020. He said the Tourism Board will work out strategies for promotion and marketing of Goa Tourism worldwide. “So far, Goan beaches were an attraction for the tourists. In the Tourism Policy, which was approved by the Cabinet, we will promote eco-tourism, hinterland tourism, adventure tourism, education tourism, sports tourism, coastal tourism, culture tourism, heritage tourism and nature based tourism. We want to showcase the natural beauty of Goa to the tourists. As per the Tourism Master Plan, the Tourism Board will guide the government in developing the required tourism infrastructure in the State,” the Minister said, adding that the government will develop the infrastructure through a public-private partnership model. Ajgaonkar further stated that the government wants to promote a drug-free Goa among tourists and also wants ‘rich and quality tourists’ to visit the State. “We don’t want tourists who come to consume drugs and cook by the roadsides. The image of Goa is getting tarnished due to such types of tourists,” he said. Ajgaonkar maintained that the government has already implemented stringent laws to tackle the nuisance created by hawkers on the beaches in the State, as well as against tourists who cook in public places. “We are imposing fines against such tourists. Those failing to pay the fine would be imprisoned,” the Minister warned. Ajgaonkar also urged Police to act against tourists, who fail to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines including wearing of masks and maintaining physical distancing. “There is no vaccine or medicine so far. The only medicine is to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and maintain personal safety. All have to follow this,” he said. The Tourism Minister said the State Government will also seek financial assistance from the central government for developing tourism infrastructure in the state. “Projects on public private partnership (PPP) would be encouraged,” he said, adding, “It is time to rebuild the tourism sector, which is hit hard due to the current pandemic.” Ajgaonkar said that the Cabinet has also approved a proposal for waiving off 50 per cent fees for beach shacks. “Due to COVID-19 pandemic, our shack owners have faced huge losses. Thus, the Government has decided to waive off their 50 per cent fee for beach shacks. This will help the shack owners revive their business during the upcoming tourist season,” he added. Goa receives around 80 lakh tourists annually, with more than 8 lakh foreign arrivals. But over the last few years, the arrival of foreign tourists has dropped. Charter arrivals too are dismal as the State has lost out to competition from Sri Lanka and South East Asian countries. The Masterplan is expected to facilitate and streamline the development of tourism in the State with significant focus on infrastructure development and raising the quality tourism related facilities and services, with an emphasis on sustainable tourism development over short, medium and long-term periods. A stakeholder said that with the masterplan in place, GTDC will now not be able to incur mindless expenses on projects as the Tourism Board will have a final say. Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Nilesh Shah said that the industry is happy that the government has finally come out with the Vision Document and Policy, but that some of their important suggestions haven’t found a place in the Policy. Hotelier Francisco de Braganca, who was part of the consultative process for the Tourism Master Plan, said that what they had envisaged under former CM Manohar Parrikar when the process for creating it started in 2014 is missing in the document. Braganca said that the roles of Tourism Department, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and proposed Tourism Board are overlapping, and that the new exercise will not yield the desired results. The 12-member Tourism Board, with the Tourism Minister as Chairman will also have representatives of government and industry. A vice-chairman will be nominated by stakeholders. Given the State’s glorious past, culture and heritage tourism needs to be marketed in a better way. The Policy states that conservation, regeneration and promotion of Goan culture and heritage are one of the key initiatives. Goa Tourism Board would identify essential infrastructure and public amenity requirements for identified tourism assets of historical and cultural importance. The Masterplan and Policy seeks to encourage tourists to visit Goan villages, especially to explore traditional Goan houses. The Goa Tourism Board will have to designate villages conducive for development as tourism villages, which could have a focus on old Goan houses, handicrafts and Goan cuisine. The Policy also recommends that mangrove swamps, freshwater crocodiles, adventure and sports tourism, spice plantations and agro farms, need to be encouraged in order to give the State’s tourism sector a much needed boost

Decision to fill Tourism Board with Government appointees irks stakeholders

While the tourism industry in Goa is elated over the implementation of the long awaited Tourism Policy, the government has received flak over the presence of majority of government appointees on the Goa Tourism Board. Nilesh Shah, President of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), while pointing out regarding the government appointees on Board stated that the Tourism Board will not be industry driven and the CEO is a government appointee and not a professional, as was requested. Savio Messias, the Immmediate Past President of TTAG has also voiced his concern over the absence of tourism experts while comparing the appointment to municipalities/panchayats. “It is fully loaded with government bureaucrats and government appointees. You may have an excellent Policy but if the Board has no tourism experts but instead some political appointees; it would be a very ordinary body like most other bodies. We have 12 government appointees and only 5 stakeholders, out of which 3 will have tenure of just one year. It sounds more like our municipalities and panchayats that have a rotation policy.” Regarding this decision of the government, former TTAG President Francisco Braganca has called the Tourism Board a creation of another Tourism Department and Goa Tourism Development Corporation. The shack operators, on the other hand, have urged to include them on to the Board. President of Shack Owners Welfare Society Cruz Cardozo said they will make a representation to the government to include one shack operator from each district on the Tourism Board. “Like other stakeholders, we also want to have our representation. Shack operators in both districts have different issues and including us will give us a platform to bring to the fore our issues,” he said

Tourism infrastructure worth Rs 24 crore to be created at Dudhsagar through central funding

The tourism season at Dudhsagar waterfall season was officially inaugurated at a function at Collem, in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar and other officials. Due to heavy rains and the rising water level in the river, tourists will be ferried to Dudhsagar only after the rains and river water level reduces. PWD Minister Pauskar said that tourists have been facing a lot of hardships at Dudhsagar due to the limited facilities available there. In order to address these difficulties, he stated that tourism at the waterfall will be promoted by developing tourism related infrastructure at Dudhsagar, which would be worth Rs 24 crore through funding from the Central government. He added that the infrastructure will include improvement of rough forest roads leading to Dudhsagar; construction of toilet blocks; creation of drinking water facilities etc. He said the NOC for the construction of improvement of the road to Dudhsagar was given by the Forest Department at a meeting held in the presence of Chief Minister. Also a causeway will be built and money will also be sanctioned for the same. “We are hoping to create a road at the forest leading to Dudhsagar waterfall, which would be made of mud pavers, just on lines of tourism at Matheran, which also falls in forest area,” said Tendulkar. Meanwhile, the 400-odd Jeep operators who ferry the tourists to Dudhsagar, were firm on their demand that the forest department waives of the fee of Rs 10,000 for this season against the backdrop of the pandemic. Dudhsagar Tour Operators’ Association President Dilip Maynekar said that last year, each jeep operator paid a fee of Rs 7,500 but could not get much business as the season was closed half way in March. He questioned the decision to hike the fee to Rs 10,000 while repeating their demand for the same to be waived off

Mobile Ad 1

Mobile ad 2.

PM addresses G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meet

“india’s approach to tourism is based on the ancient sanskrit verse ‘atithi devo bhavah’ which means ‘guest is god’” “india’s efforts in the tourism sector are centered on preserving its rich heritage while creating a world-class infrastructure for tourism” “in the last nine years, we have placed special emphasis on developing the entire ecosystem of tourism in the country” “india is also recognizing the relevance of the tourism sector for the speedy achievement of sustainable development goals” “collaboration among governments, entrepreneurs, investors and academia can accelerate technological implementation in the tourism sector” “terrorism divides but tourism unites” “the motto of india's g20 presidency, ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ - ‘one earth, one family, one future’ can itself be a motto for global tourism” “you must visit the festival of democracy in the mother of democracy”.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meet held in Goa via video message today.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister invoked the spirit of Incredible India and said that the tourism ministers rarely get a chance to be tourists themselves even though they are handling a sector worth over two trillion dollars globally. Noting that the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meet is taking place in Goa, one of the major tourist attractions in India, the Prime Minister urged the dignitaries to take out some time from their serious discussions and explore the natural beauty and the spiritual side of Goa.

The Prime Minister said that India’s approach to tourism is based on the ancient Sanskrit verse ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah’ which means ‘Guest is God’. Shri Modi emphasized that tourism is not just about sightseeing but it is an immersive experience. “Be it Music or Food, Arts or Culture, the diversity of India is truly majestic”, the Prime Minister continued, “From the high Himalayas to dense forests, dry deserts to beautiful beaches, adventure sports to meditation retreats, India has something for everyone.” The Prime Minister informed that India during its G-20 presidency is organizing nearly 200 meetings in 100 different locations all over the country making every experience different from the other. “If you ask your friends who have already visited India for these meetings, I am sure that no two experiences will be alike”, he added.

The Prime Minister underlined that India’s efforts in the tourism sector are centered on preserving its rich heritage while creating a world-class infrastructure for tourism. Noting that India attracts pilgrims of every major religion of the world, the Prime Minister emphasized the development of spiritual tourism as one of the focus areas. He informed that the infrastructure upgrade in the eternal city of Varanasi, one of the major spiritual centers, led to a ten-fold increase in pilgrims taking the number to 70 million today. He also underlined that India is creating new tourist attractions and gave the example of the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world, which attracted about 2.7 million tourists within a year of its inauguration. In the last nine years, the Prime Minister said, we have placed special emphasis on developing the entire ecosystem of tourism in the country. “From transport infrastructure to the hospitality sector to skill development, and even in our visa systems, we have kept the tourism sector as a focal point of our reforms”, Shri Modi said. He highlighted that the hospitality sector has great potential for employment generation, social inclusion and economic progress while employing more women and youth compared to the other sectors. The Prime Minister expressed happiness that India is also recognizing the relevance of the tourism sector for the speedy achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the five inter-connected priority areas of Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skill Development, Tourism MSMEs, and Destination Management reflect the priorities of India as well as the Global South. Shri Modi suggested greater use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and augmented reality to drive innovation and highlighted that India is working towards artificial intelligence enabling real-time translation of various languages spoken in the country. He expressed confidence that collaboration among governments, entrepreneurs, investors and academia can accelerate such technological implementation in the tourism sector. The Prime Minister also suggested working together to ease business regulations for tourism companies and assist them in increasing their access to finances and investing in skill development.

“Terrorism divides but Tourism unites”, the Prime Minister remarked. He said that tourism has the potential to unite people from all walks of life thereby creating a harmonious society. Shri Modi expressed happiness that a G20 Tourism dashboard is being developed in partnership with UNWTO which will be a first-of-its-kind platform bringing together best practices, case studies and inspiring stories. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the deliberations and the  ‘Goa Roadmap’ would multiply the collective efforts to realize tourism’s transformative power. “The motto of India's G20 Presidency, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ - ‘One Earth,  One Family, One Future’ can itself be a motto for global tourism”, he added.

The Prime Minister highlighted the upcoming Sao Joao Festival in Goa and said that India is a land of festivals. Referring to the General Elections to be held next year, the Prime Minister urged the dignitaries to witness the festival of democracy in the mother of democracy where nearly a billion voters will be taking part for over a month re-affirming their abiding faith in democratic values. “With more than a million voting booths, there will be no shortage of places for you to witness this festival in all its diversity”, the Prime Minister said. He concluded the address by extending an invitation to visit India during the festival of democracy.

LIVE. PM @narendramodi 's remarks at the G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting. @g20org https://t.co/EhD5WJ9SI1 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 21, 2023

CM presses Centre to stop flight of airlines to Mopa

Visual Stories

Days after the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government was forced to withdraw five Bills during the monsoon session of the Goa Assembly, several party ministers and leaders have continued to trade barbs, blaming each other over the episode.

On the sidelines of an event held to commemorate the death anniversary of Goa ’s first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar Monday, BJP MLA and ex-minister Michael Lobo said the government’s decision to withdraw the Bills after introducing them during the recently-concluded 18-day Assembly session indicated that “all is not well”.

“It is shocking that despite having a clear majority with 33 MLAs (including BJP’s 28 MLAs and remaining from its allies in the 40-member House), the Bills have been withdrawn. It feels ‘all is not well’ and this is something that has not gone down well with people who have been following the proceedings. It is not that you have the numbers and you can do whatever there is,” Lobo said.

The MLA from Calangute also said, “If one Bill is withdrawn, it is not a problem but when many Bills are withdrawn, it shows that something is amiss somewhere. We are answerable to the people of Goa and to the people of our constituency. People ask questions and it is not good for a healthy democracy to introduce a Bill and then withdraw it. Before introducing (a Bill), one must understand…especially the Cabinet ministers should understand if the Bill is in the interest of the people of the state.”

The Law department has drawn flak from within the BJP dispensation for its “shoddy drafting” of the Bills marked with “discrepancies” leading to their hasty withdrawal, even as the Opposition and a public section also castigated these legislation, especially the contentious Goa Town and Country Planning (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2024.

On August 5, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane rolled back the Goa Town and Country Planning (Amendment and Validation) Bill, which sought to nullify any court verdict against the approvals granted for zoning and land conversions under the Outline Development Plans (ODPs) for Calangute-Candolim Planning Area and Arpora-Nagoa-Parra Planning Area.

A validation clause in this Bill stated that “no suit or other proceeding shall lie or be maintained or continued in any court challenging such approvals/certificates/reports”.

It is learnt that at a Cabinet meeting, shortly before the Bill was withdrawn, at least two ministers voiced their concerns, stating that in its current form, the legislation would pave the way for massive conversion of land in eco-sensitive areas, which would have “adverse ramifications” for the party in the 2027 Assembly polls.

The legislators from Congress and other Opposition parties also criticised the Bill, charging that it would allow for large-scale conversion, construction and zonal change of five villages falling within the highly eco-sensitive areas.

On the withdrawal of the Bill, Vishwajit Rane also sought to blame the Law department, telling the House: “I did not insert the validation clause in the Bill. The validation clause was a suggestion of the Law department, not my department. Due to this, there is a sentiment among the people that we are running the government in the form of a dictatorship.”

On the same day, Rane also withdrew three other Bills including the Goa Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill 2024, Goa Municipalities (Amendment), Bill 2024 and City of Panaji Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2024 on various grounds.

Earlier, on August 1, the government withdrew the Goa Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

In an interview with a regional channel on Tuesday, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte went after the Law department over the rollback of the Bills. “Today, we need a total turnaround in our Law department, which needs to understand the sanctity of putting Bills in the House… Let us argue on the intent. I cannot speak on a technicality. It has been exposed in the Assembly that the Bills could have been drafted better than the way they were put in the House. It is time that responsibility is fixed on errant officers,” said Khaunte.

Reacting to Khaunte’s remarks, Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Aleixo Sequeira said, “I do not know in which context he (Khaunte) has made that statement. I only know that as the Law department, it is our duty to ensure that whatever Bill comes, is as per law. I am not supposed to sit with a magnifying glass and see what is the intent of that department. Our job is to see whether that fits within the law or not. The withdrawal of the Bills, according to me, has not been done at our instance.”

Sequeira also said the Bills were withdrawn either due to the demands of the MLAs or “in the wisdom of the concerned minister”. “I do not agree that withdrawal of the Bills has been done because of the Law department. The Law department has done its duty and vetted the Bills as per the existing laws. The rest is the responsibility of the department that has moved those Bills.”

On August 7, the last day of the session, the government decided to send the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation of Single Window Clearance (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to a House Select Committee after the Opposition members opposed the legislation.

While CM Sawant said the Bill was aimed at strengthening the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (IPFB) for enhancing ease of doing business, the Opposition MLAs raised concerns that it would enable rampant construction under the guise of investment promotion and would allow the Board’s planning development construction committee to convert land, approve plans, issue construction licences and collect fees on behalf of other departments.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Yuri Alemao of the Congress said a “conflict of interest” would arise as the Board’s powers would extend outside the investment area to override those of the panchayats and other departments.

Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai said the Bill had been “drafted in haste”, alleging that “It will be a disaster for land conversion. The planning development construction committee will dominate the local bodies”.

Sawant however said, “We do not have any intention to override the powers of other departments. It is only to attract investments in Goa.”

In response to Lobo’s remarks, state BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade asked the party leaders to maintain discipline.

“The BJP is not a Dharamshala. He (Lobo) made an incorrect statement. If he had concerns, he should have approached the party leadership instead of speaking publicly. He could have spoken to the Chief Minister or me… The BJP is a disciplined party and everyone has to follow the system,” Tanavade said.

On Wednesday evening, after Lobo met him, Tanavade claimed that the former had been “misquoted” on the issue of withdrawal of Bills. “There is no misunderstanding now,” he said.

Speaking to The Indian Express on the government’s move to withdraw the Bills, LoP Alemao alleged, “Every BJP minister is the chief minister of his own portfolio. Never in Goa’s history have the Bills been introduced so haphazardly. There is no coordination between them and they are blaming each other. Their whole agenda is to get outsiders to Goa and give them land at dirt-cheap prices.”

Click here to join The Indian Express on WhatsApp and get latest news and updates

• Political Pulse

Pune rural police are investigating a 42-year-old teacher for sending obscene messages to a schoolgirl, with a possible history of harassment. The teacher is on the run after being confronted by the girl's father. Police have registered an offence and are searching for the teacher and examining his phone. The principal has also been booked for failing to take action.

• Democratic National Convention Live Updates: Kamala Harris accepts Democratic presidential nomination 18 mins ago
• Kolkata doctor rape-murder case Live Updates: RG Kar ex-principal to face lie-detector test as court grants CBI nod 3 hours ago
• Neeraj Chopra, Lausanne Diamond League Live Updates: Neeraj comes up with stunning last throw to finish second 7 hours ago
• Bharat Bandh Live Updates: Amid protest against SC's sub-classification verdict, police lathicharge protesters in Patna 2 days ago

Best of Express

Buzzing Now

Aug 23: Latest News

• 01 World’s second largest diamond with 2,492-carat discovered in Botswana
• 02 India reaffirms commitment to Bangladesh as High Commissioner meets Yunus
• 03 Defamatory words through emails, social media posts can constitute insult to woman’s modesty: HC
• 04 Ola & Uber operations in Pune: Hearing postponed again to Sept 12
• 05 Police probe possibility of additional victims
• Elections 2024
• Entertainment
• Movie Review
• Newsletters
• Web Stories
• 🇮🇳 I-Day SALE
• Express Shorts
• Mini Crossword
• Health & Wellness

Goa Tourism minister reveals primary reason behind decline in foreign tourist arrivals

Goa tourism minister rohan khaunte has acknowledged a decline in foreign tourist arrivals and blamed the russia-ukraine war and the conflict between israel and palestine for the decline in foreigners travelling to goa..

Follow Us:  

 GTDC reservations: 0832-2438866 / 2438002     Tourism Helpline : 1364

• THE WEEK TV
• ENTERTAINMENT
• WEB STORIES
• JOBS AND CAREER
• Home Home -->
• wire updates wire updates -->
• BUSINESS BUSINESS -->

Airlines moving operations from Goa's Dabolim airport a matter of concern CM to Centre

Panaji, Aug 22 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday conveyed his government's concern to the Centre over airlines shifting their operations from the old international airport at Dabolim to the new one in Mopa in Pernem taluka which became functional early last year. Sawant raised the concern during a meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi, an official statement said here. In the statement, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Sawant, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues, including Mauvin Godinho (transport) and Rohan Khaunte (tourism), interacted with Naidu and junior civil aviation minister Murlidhar Mohol. Civil aviation secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam and Airports Authority of India (AAI) chairman M Suresh were also present at the meeting in the national capital. The statement said the CM raised concern over shifting of operations by airlines from the Dabolim aerodrome in South Goa to the Manohar International Airport (MIA) at Mopa, located around 50km away in the northern part of the state. Sawant also discussed various issues related to aviation operations at the Dabolim airport, which is part of an Indian Navy base, it said. While the Dabolim aerodrome is a state-run facility, MIA is a greenfield project operated by GMR Goa International Airport, a private company. Union minister Naidu assured full support to Goa, a major tourist state, towards further strengthening and incentivising the Dabolim airport, said the statement. There is no official figure on how many carriers have moved operations to the new airport.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

Manav Sampada deadline: 13 lakh UP government staff risk salary loss on Aug 31, here's why

Pakistan: School van shooting in Attock kills two children, injures 5

Goncalo Ramos injury: Luis Enrique says PSG won't rush into transfer market

Doctor accused of supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry to resume practice

National Space Day: Why it is a significant milestone in India's space journey