Category: Travel

Travel

Goa Showcases Regenerative and Future-Ready Tourism at Qatar Travel & Tourism Expo 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Goa Tourism is set to take center stage at the Qatar Travel & Tourism Expo 2025, scheduled from 24th to 26th November, presenting the state as a leader in regenerative and future-ready tourism. The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, will use this international platform to showcase a refreshed tourism identity shaped by innovative experiences, enhanced services, and emerging global trends.

The Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, emphasized Goa’s commitment to blending responsible development with luxury travel experiences. He noted that participation in the Expo will enable Goa to highlight its diverse offerings—from wellness and nature-based experiences to cinematic exposure and dynamic nightlife—while engaging with global industry leaders to strengthen its presence in key international markets.

Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, added that the Expo provides a crucial opportunity to promote Goa’s expanding tourism services and contemporary travel experiences. The delegation aims to highlight improvements in tourism infrastructure, foster international partnerships, and position Goa as a destination that offers both quality and authenticity.

Goa will spotlight a diversified tourism portfolio, including emerging trends such as nocto tourism, which curates safe and vibrant nightlife zones featuring music, culture, and local gastronomy. Film and screen tourism will also be showcased, emphasizing Goa’s appearances in films, OTT series, and international productions. Additionally, calmcations—focused on wellness, Ayurveda retreats, and tranquil nature getaways—will underscore Goa’s appeal to travelers seeking rest and rejuvenation.

The Expo will also highlight enhancements in visitor infrastructure, digital tourism services, heritage precinct development, water-based tourism, hinterland experiences, adventure activities, and community-led tourism initiatives. These efforts reflect Goa’s broader focus on regenerative tourism, ensuring that tourism growth benefits local communities while safeguarding cultural and natural heritage.

Goa Tourism’s participation at the Qatar Travel & Tourism Expo 2025 marks a significant step in global outreach, showcasing the state as a destination that combines sustainability, innovation, and cultural vibrancy. By engaging with travel partners, industry stakeholders, and international visitors, Goa reaffirms its commitment to delivering enriching, memorable, and future-ready travel experiences.

Travel

Tourism Department and GTDC Launch Development & Beautification of Harvalem Waterfall at Rudreshwar Temple

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, in partnership with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), has initiated the development and beautification of Harvalem Waterfall at the Rudreshwar Temple surroundings in Harvalem, Bicholim. This initiative is part of Goa’s ongoing efforts to strengthen eco-tourism and promote Amrit Dharohar as Challenged Based Destinations Development, with a focus on improving facilities for visitors while preserving the state’s natural and cultural heritage.

The inauguration programme was attended by Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Power & New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, President BJP Goa State Damu Naik, Chairman Goa Tourism Development Corporation Kedar J. Naik, Director of Tourism Kedar Naik, Managing Director of GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar, Vice Chairperson Sankhali Municipal Council Dayanand Boryekar, and President of Rudreshwar Temple, Harvalem, Yashwant Madkar.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant highlighted the cultural and ecological significance of Harvalem, stating that strengthening such destinations benefits both tourism and the local communities dependent on them. Minister for Tourism Rohan A. Khaunte emphasized that the project reflects Goa’s broader vision of diversifying tourism offerings, focusing on nature-based experiences, improved accessibility, and responsible development that supports the local ecosystem and economy. Chairman of GTDC Kedar J. Naik added that the improvements will help position Harvalem more prominently within Goa’s eco-tourism circuits, while Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade stressed that sustainable planning, safety, and thoughtful design remain central to the project.

As part of the programme, the Chief Minister inaugurated an audiovisual film presenting the project’s plans and vision. The function included presentations by GTDC and Rudreshwar Temple Committee, with mementos presented to all dignitaries and a vote of thanks acknowledging collective efforts in shaping the project.

This development is part of Goa’s larger strategy to strengthen tourism infrastructure across natural, cultural, and heritage locations. By investing in projects like Harvalem, the state continues to create a more diverse, experience-driven tourism landscape while preserving the integrity of its natural environment.

Travel

Goa Deepens Engagement with Russian Travellers as Delegation Visits Paryatan Bhavan

allycaralgoa

Panaji, Nov 14, 2025: The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, extended a warm welcome to a 37-member delegation from Russia at Paryatan Bhavan as part of their week-long exploration of the State’s tourism offerings.

Present for the reception were Director of Tourism Kedar Naik; GTDC General Manager (Hotels & Marketing) Gavin Dias; Assistant Director (Tourism) Jayesh Kankonkar; Assistant Tourist Officer Chitra Vengurlekar; OSD to the Tourism Minister Shawn Mendes; and TCI & SITA Chief Operating Officer Ernest Dias, along with officials and key representatives of the tourism industry.

Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte said Goa enjoys a warm, long-standing relationship with the Russian market, marked by mutual trust and consistent engagement. “We value this continued interest from Russian travellers. Goa remains committed to offering every visitor a safe, pleasant, and memorable stay,” he said.

Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik, also highlighted the enduring bond between Goa and Russia, noting that travellers from Russia have long appreciated the State’s culture, hospitality, and lifestyle, making them an integral part of Goa’s tourism narrative.

TCI & SITA COO, Ernest Dias, expressed optimism that Goa would witness strong tourist arrivals from Ekaterinburg and Moscow for the upcoming season, underscoring the ongoing confidence of Russian travellers in Goa.

As part of the reception, GTDC’s Gavin Dias presented an engaging overview of Goa’s diverse tourism profile—its cultural heritage, vibrant festivals, culinary richness, wellness tourism, adventure offerings, and high-quality hospitality infrastructure.

During their seven-day visit, the delegation will explore a range of experiences across Goa, including spice plantations and iconic attractions, while gaining deeper insights into the State’s evolving tourism landscape. The visitors expressed appreciation for the warm reception and showed keen interest in discovering more of what Goa has to offer.

The Department of Tourism looks forward to strengthening this relationship further and enhancing collaborations to promote Goa globally.

Travel

PM Modi Flags Off Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, Linking Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express on Saturday, marking another milestone in India’s expanding network of high-speed passenger trains. The Prime Minister inaugurated the service virtually from Varanasi, along with three other Vande Bharat trains — the Banaras–Khajuraho, Firozpur–Delhi, and Lucknow–Saharanpur routes.

The Ernakulam Junction–KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 06652) departed from Ernakulam at 8.41 a.m. amid a festive atmosphere, complete with flowers, balloons, and the traditional sounds of Chendamelam. Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Union Ministers of State Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, Kerala Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, MP Hibi Eden, MLA T.J. Vinod, and Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar were among the dignitaries who participated in the event virtually.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi said that the Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat trains are shaping the future of Indian Railways, laying the foundation for a new era of speed, comfort, and innovation.

The new inter-State Vande Bharat Express will significantly enhance regional connectivity by linking key cities across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka — including Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Krishnarajapuram, and KSR Bengaluru. The train will cover the journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes, saving over two hours compared to existing services.

Regular operations will begin on November 11, running six days a week, except Wednesday. The KSR Bengaluru–Ernakulam train (No. 26651) will depart Bengaluru at 5:10 a.m. and reach Ernakulam at 1:50 p.m. The return train (No. 26652) will leave Ernakulam at 2:20 p.m. and arrive in Bengaluru at 11 p.m.

Speaking onboard the inaugural service, Minister Suresh Gopi described the Vande Bharat as “a revolution on rails,” adding that further expansion depends on Kerala’s readiness to provide land for track doubling and straighten sharp curves. “If there are more tracks, more trains will come,” he said, highlighting the state’s crucial role in enabling faster train operations.

Children selected through a drawing competition and officials from various departments also joined the inaugural run, marking the event with celebrations and enthusiasm.

The Ernakulam–Bengaluru service becomes the third Vande Bharat for Kerala and the first inter-State connection linking the state with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. With its addition, the Southern Railway now operates 12 Vande Bharat trains, and the nationwide total has surpassed 160 operational services, reflecting India’s growing commitment to modern, high-speed rail travel.

Travel

Mumbai Tops Time Out’s 2025 List as the Happiest City in Asia

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Happiness means different things to different people, but sometimes, numbers tell a story of their own. According to Time Out’s City Life Index 2025, Mumbai has been named the happiest city in Asia, with an overwhelming 94% of residents saying that their city makes them happy. The global survey, which asked over 18,000 people across the world about their cities, measured factors such as culture, nightlife, food, quality of life, and overall positivity.

The findings reveal that 89% of Mumbaikars feel happier in Mumbai than anywhere else, 88% say people in the city seem cheerful, and 87% believe happiness in Mumbai has grown recently. Experts point to Mumbai’s entertainment scene, diverse street food, and dynamic career opportunities as key drivers of this positivity. But perhaps more than anything, it’s the city’s deep sense of belonging, resilience, and community spirit that makes it stand out.

“Mumbai has always been more than just a city — it’s an emotion,” said one respondent. “Even in its chaos, there’s connection. Everyone’s chasing dreams together.”

Following Mumbai in the rankings are Beijing and Shanghai, where 93% and 92% of locals, respectively, reported feeling happy in their cities. Both scored high on safety, culture, and convenience and have been recognized as top destinations for Gen Z professionals due to their innovation and modern lifestyle.

Chiang Mai in Thailand and Hanoi in Vietnam also made it to the top five, each with 88% of residents saying their city makes them happy. Both cities were praised for their slower pace of life, community-driven living, and green environments — appealing to those seeking balance and connection.

Not all megacities fared equally well. Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore ranked lower, with Tokyo recording just 70% of residents saying they feel happy in their city — a figure that experts link to long working hours and high pressure.

The top 10 happiest cities in Asia for 2025 are:

  1. Mumbai, India
  2. Beijing, China
  3. Shanghai, China
  4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
  5. Hanoi, Vietnam
  6. Jakarta, Indonesia
  7. Hong Kong
  8. Bangkok, Thailand
  9. Singapore
  10. Seoul, South Korea

The results underline that the happiest cities are not necessarily the richest or most modern, but those with a strong sense of community and joy in everyday life. In 2025, Mumbai’s blend of ambition, culture, and connection has made it a symbol of urban happiness — proving that in the city of dreams, the biggest dream of all is simply to belong.