Tag: Glow on Arrival

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Goa Tourism to Showcase New-Age Experiences at TTF Kolkata 2025

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Team Allycaral

Panjim, 9th July 2025 – Goa Tourism is all set to showcase the evolving and dynamic spirit of the state at the upcoming Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Kolkata 2025, scheduled from 10th to 12th July 2025 at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan. Recognised as India’s biggest travel trade exhibition, TTF Kolkata offers a powerful platform for Goa Tourism to connect with key stakeholders and travel professionals while presenting its enriched tourism landscape to a wider audience.

Commenting on Goa’s participation, Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, stated, “TTF Kolkata is an important outreach platform for Goa Tourism, especially in East India. This year, we aim to communicate that Goa is more than just a destination, it’s an experience shaped by sustainability, cultural preservation, and community participation. Through these initiatives, we’re promoting a more conscious and enriching way to explore the state.”

At this year’s edition, Goa Tourism will highlight a compelling mix of traditional charm and modern sustainability, centered around its Regenerative Tourism approach. The state’s participation will spotlight initiatives that go beyond conventional beach tourism, focusing instead on immersive rural trails, monsoon tourism, wellness-based experiences, spiritual circuits, and cultural revival. Visitors will learn about the Ekadasha Teertha circuit, a spiritual trail comprising eleven sacred temples across Goa, alongside curated heritage routes and authentic village experiences through community-based homestays.

Adding an emotional layer to the showcase is the Glow On Arrival initiative, a campaign that captures Goa’s serene monsoon beauty, lush green landscapes, mist-covered hills, and the tranquil charm of rain-washed heritage sites. This initiative seeks to inspire mindful travel and positions Goa as the ideal destination for rest, rejuvenation, and soulful exploration, particularly during the monsoon season.

Visitors to the Goa Tourism Pavilion can also explore digital innovations such as QR-based information and immersive VR experiences that allow them to witness Goa’s evolving identity in a uniquely interactive format. Delegates representing Goa will engage with travel agents, industry leaders, and tourism boards from across the globe, exchanging ideas, exploring collaborations, and showcasing why Goa remains one of the most versatile and responsible tourism destinations in the country.

In a unique cultural bridge between the two regions, visitors to the Goa Pavilion can explore the similarities between West Bengal and Goa in areas such as football enthusiasm, culinary depth, and shared festive spirit. These common threads will be reflected in interactive elements and conversations throughout the three-day fair.

Additionally, spot bookings for Goa holiday packages will be facilitated at the stall. Visitors and guests will have the opportunity to plan their trip to Goa with direct assistance from the official Goa Tourism team, as well as participating Goan hoteliers and tour operators, ensuring a seamless and personalized travel experience.

Goa Tourism invites all trade visitors and travel enthusiasts to visit the pavilion at TTF Kolkata 2025 and experience first-hand how Goa is redefining travel through authenticity, innovation, and inclusivity.

Goan Festivals

Chikhal Kalo 2025 Kicks Off with a Celebration of Goa’s Culture, Devotion, and Culinary Heritage

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Marcel, 5th July 2025 – The Department of Tourism, inaugurated the vibrant and deeply revered Chikhal Kalo 2025 on 5th July at the historic Shri Devki Krishna Temple, Marcela, marking the beginning of a three-day celebration dedicated to Goa’s timeless spiritual and cultural traditions. The festival was officially inaugurated in the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Shri Govind Gaude, MLA Priol constituency; Shri Kedar Naik, Director Tourism; and Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director, GTDC; Tabla Maestro, Shri Tulsidas Navelkar; Chairman of Shri Devki Krishna Saunsthan committee, Shri Vijay Dharwatkar along with Secretary of Shri Devki Krishna Saunsthan committee Shri Venkatesh Tamba and others.

Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism stated “Chikhal Kalo is a reaffirmation of who we are as Goans. It is through festivals like these that we honour our spiritual roots, promote community bonding, and create authentic experiences for visitors. Goa is about the spirit of its people, its culture, its values. Through this festival, we continue our commitment to Regenerative Tourism by bringing the spotlight to our traditions, our hinterlands, and our identity. Chikhal Kalo is a reminder that tourism can be both transformative and rooted.”

Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, added “Chikhal Kalo is a testimony to the growing desire among locals and travellers alike to reconnect with traditions that are immersive, inclusive, and meaningful. We are proud to promote such festivals under the broader vision of ‘Goa Beyond Beaches.’ We will continue to encourage experiences that are environmentally responsible, culturally sensitive, and community-driven. The festival also complements our ongoing monsoon campaign, #GlowOnArrival, which showcases Goa’s tranquil beauty and soulful offerings during the rains.”

Held on the auspicious Dashami Tithi, the first day of festivities was packed with diverse cultural and devotional experiences that reflected the essence of Bhakti, tradition, and local creativity. The celebrations began with a Cooking Competition, where participants showcased an array of traditional Goan vegetarian dishes, celebrating Goa’s rich culinary heritage and its seasonal, community-based food traditions.

This was followed by “Nachu Kirtanache Rangi”, a beautiful performance that brought together devotional Kirtan recital and music to set a spiritually vibrant tone for the evening. The Vitthalvaari segment featured heartfelt Bhakti performances by acclaimed artists including Mugdha Gaonkar, Hrishikesh Sane accompanied by Aany Ghate, Utpal Sainker, Kedar Dhamaskar, and Govind Gauthankar.

The evening culminated in a soul-stirring Abhang and Bhakti Sangeet performance by renowned artist Dr. Bharat Balvalli, accompanied by a distinguished ensemble: Pandit Makrand Kundale, Prasad Karambelkar, Amar Oak, Dada Parab, and Govind Bhagat. The spiritual energy and musical brilliance enthralled attendees, uniting tourists and devotees in a shared experience of Goa’s living heritage.

The next two days of Chikhal Kalo 2025 promise to be equally engaging and spiritually uplifting. On 6th July, Ashadhi Ekadashi, the temple premises will resonate with the divine melodies of a traditional Bhajan recital, inviting all devotees and tourists to immerse themselves in sacred music and prayer. On 7th July, the final day of the festival, the much-anticipated Chikhal Kalo ritual will unfold—a joyful and symbolic mud festival that reimagines the playful moments of Lord Krishna’s childhood. This ritual, rooted deeply in community bonding and devotion, witnesses both locals and visitors coming together to celebrate Goa’s unique cultural identity with fervour and joy.

Shri Deepak Narvekar, Dy. General Manager, GTDC, proposed the vote of thanks.

The Department of Tourism warmly invites everyone to witness and partake in the remaining days of this rare and meaningful celebration. As Goa continues to promote tourism that is regenerative, inclusive, and rooted in tradition, Chikhal Kalo stands as a glowing example of how festivals can become a movement of cultural revival and collective pride.

Entry on all days is free.

Human Interest

Goa Sees Surge in June 2025 Tourist Arrivals, Boosted by Monsoon Festival Campaigns

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Panaji, July 3, 2025 – Defying traditional patterns, Goa has witnessed a significant rise in tourist arrivals in June 2025, a month long considered off-season for the state’s hospitality sector. The surge is credited to the Goa Tourism Department’s bold monsoon-focused campaign, championing regenerative tourism through community-centric festivals and authentic local experiences.

Festivals Take the Lead: São João and Chikal Kalo

Leading this cultural revival were two of Goa’s most iconic monsoon festivals — São João, celebrated with joy and jumps into water bodies, and Chikal Kalo, a vibrant mud-filled celebration of unity and tradition. These events, held in villages and towns across North and South Goa, became centrepieces of digital storytelling and grassroots engagement.

Instead of just showcasing beaches, the Tourism Department collaborated with local influencers, artists, and cultural custodians to share Goa’s heritage through reels, blog stories, and immersive experiences.

“This June has been unlike any other,” said Jack Sukhija, President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG). “We’ve seen guests take genuine interest in our traditions—participating in events, understanding their history, and truly immersing themselves in Goan culture.”

Authentic Travel Meets New-Age Promotion

Hospitality players across the board — from hotels and homestays to cruise operators, artisans, and heritage guides — reported a visible uptick in bookings and cultural interactions. The trend wasn’t just about quantity but quality tourism, with visitors actively engaging in heritage walks, culinary workshops, and local celebrations.

Ranjit Phillipose, Senior Vice President – Operations, IHCL Goa, praised the campaign’s outcome:

“The storytelling around Goa’s culture has resonated well with visitors. The focused promotion of São João and other experiences translated into strong occupancy and deeper engagement across regions.”

Wellness and Culture Combine: ‘Glow on Arrival’

Adding to the campaign’s richness was the ‘Glow on Arrival’ initiative, a wellness-centric push that marketed Goa’s misty monsoon landscapes, serene villages, and relaxing rhythms as a haven for rejuvenation. Retreats, spa getaways, and digital detox experiences aligned perfectly with the state’s emerging identity as a year-round destination.

Sustainable Shift: From Parties to Purpose

Goa’s evolving tourism model, rooted in regenerative travel, now aims to benefit local communities, preserve traditions, and promote off-season tourism in a meaningful way. Officials confirmed that the strategy moving forward will emphasize:

  • Community partnerships
  • Support for cultural events
  • Eco-tourism and spiritual circuits
  • Grassroots entrepreneurship

With July’s Chikal Kalo festival (July 5–7) and heritage circuits already generating buzz, Goa’s off-season is being rewritten as a time for cultural celebration and immersive travel.

The Road Ahead

As Goa steers away from a purely beach-and-party image, it is finding global appeal in its rich cultural identity and inclusive tourism experiences. With the monsoon season emerging as a platform for deeper connections and local pride, Goa is poised to become a case study in sustainable tourism success — one festival at a time.