Panjim, 14th February 2026 – The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), a Government of Goa undertaking, organised the Travel Agents Meet 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from the travel and tourism industry to strengthen collaboration and align strategies for promoting Goa as a diverse, experience-led destination. The meet witnessed participation from 55 travel agents, online travel agencies and NTS operators, along with other members of the travel trade in Goa.
The dignitaries present included Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte; Chairman, GTDC Kedar Naik; Managing Director, GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar; General Managers Gavin Dias, Sachin Gore, Laxmikant Vaigankar and Kapil Paiguinkar, and Deputy General Manager Deepak Narvekar.
Speaking on the occasion, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte emphasised the importance of collaboration with the travel trade in shaping Goa’s tourism growth story. He stated that travel agents remain long-term partners in promoting Goa beyond its beaches and positioning the state as a holistic, experience-rich destination. He highlighted that the focus remains on balanced tourism growth that benefits local communities, strengthens livelihoods and enhances visitor satisfaction.
Chairman, GTDC Kedar Naik underlined the pivotal role of travel agents as the first point of contact for travellers. He noted that the confidence with which visitors choose Goa is closely linked to the trust they place in travel professionals. He further reiterated that GTDC’s responsibility goes beyond infrastructure and services, extending to creating an ecosystem where tourism supports livelihoods, preserves culture and ensures inclusive growth.
Managing Director, GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar described the Travel Agents Meet as an important platform to align tourism products and services with evolving market needs. He stated that through continued engagement with the travel trade, GTDC aims to strengthen global promotion of Goa Tourism hotels, new tourism services and destination experiences while remaining responsive to changing traveller expectations.
As part of the programme, seven prominent tour operators were felicitated, including representatives of the Tour Operators Association of India, Goa-based online travel agents and NTS operators, in recognition of their contribution to promoting Goa as a preferred destination. Deputy General Manager (Marketing) Deepak Narvekar announced the names of the stakeholders during the felicitation ceremony in the presence of the Minister for Tourism and other dignitaries.
A detailed presentation on GTDC hotels and new tourism and adventure activities was delivered by General Manager Gavin Dias along with Senior Managers Vishesh Naik and Pravin Faldessai. Video films showcasing Goa Tourism, wildlife experiences, AVI Tourism and festivals were screened during the meet, offering attendees a broader perspective on the state’s evolving tourism landscape.
The event also facilitated an interactive exchange between GTDC officials and members of the travel trade on emerging markets, evolving traveller preferences and collaborative promotion opportunities. Goa Tourism’s hotels, new services and curated destination experiences were highlighted with a strong emphasis on strengthening global visibility through strategic trade partnerships.
The Travel Agents Meet 2026 served as a meaningful platform for dialogue, exchange of perspectives and deeper collaboration between Goa Tourism and the travel trade. The engagement reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders to position Goa as a preferred destination offering authentic, responsible and high-quality tourism experiences.
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