Tag: Goa Beyond Beaches

Human Interest

GTDC Launches Calendar and Diary 2026, Showcasing Goa’s Tourism, Heritage and Experiences

allycaralgoa

Panaji; December 30, 2025: The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) launched its Calendar and Diary for the year 2026 at a function held at Paryatan Bhavan, marking a renewed effort to visually showcase Goa’s rich tourism landscape, heritage, and experiences.

The Calendar and Diary were unveiled by Hon’ble Chairman, GTDC, Shri Kedar J. Naik, in the presence of General Manager (Marketing), GTDC, Shri Gavin Dias, and Deputy General Manager (Marketing), GTDC, Shri Deepak Narvekar. The event was attended by Deputy General Manager (Administration) Shri Sandeep Gawas, Deputy General Manager (Finance) Shri Kundan Naik, Senior Managers Shri Vishesh Naik, Shri Pravin Phaldesai, and Shri Prasad Kavlekar, along with other officials of GTDC. The programme was compered by Shri Deepak Narvekar.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Kedar J. Naik said that the New Year symbolises new hopes and resolutions, and calendars and diaries continue to remain relevant in everyday life. He noted that GTDC has revived the Calendar and Diary after a gap of ten years, with the objective of taking them house to house, promoting Goa’s hinterlands and lesser-known tourism destinations beyond established circuits. He encouraged the GTDC team to continue working with dedication to strengthen tourism outreach and promotion.

Managing Director, GTDC, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, stated that the Calendar and Diary serve as effective tools to promote Goa’s tourism experiences while reinforcing GTDC’s branding initiatives, with a clear focus on the State’s diverse offerings.

General Manager, GTDC, Shri Gavin Dias, highlighted that the Calendar and Diary are designed to promote Goa’s hinterlands, introduce new tourism services, and act as meaningful takeaways for visitors. He added that branding and marketing continue to remain key focus areas for the Corporation.

The GTDC Calendar and Diary 2026 aim to build brand GTDC and reinforce its role in promoting Goa as a premier tourism destination, with emphasis on GTDC hotels, events, new tourism services, local traditions, and sustainability, aligning strongly with the “Goa Beyond Beaches” initiative.

Events in Goa

Goa Deepotsav 2025 Lights Up Porvorim, Saligao, and Mapusa with Cultural Splendour

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, successfully hosted Goa Deepotsav 2025, a two-day celebration that illuminated Porvorim, Saligao, and Mapusa with festive cheer, music, and cultural splendour. The event brought together Goans from all walks of life to celebrate Diwali through art, tradition, and togetherness, reflecting the essence of Goa’s cultural unity.

The first-ever edition of Deepotsav in Mapusa, held at the Mapusa Taxi Stand Ground, witnessed vibrant community participation and an impressive turnout. The event featured engaging contests such as the All Goa Akash Kandil Competition, cooking and fugdi contests, and an energetic cultural showcase. The evening highlight, Rhythm of Lights, mesmerized audiences with performances that beautifully portrayed Goa’s cultural diversity.

Among the dignitaries present were Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker & MLA, Mapusa, Shri Joshua De Souza, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council Smt Priya Mishal, Deputy Director of Tourism Shri Dhiraj Vagle, Dy. General Manager (Marketing/Hotels), GTDC, Shri Deepak Narvekar, Asst. Director of Tourism Shri Jayesh Kankonkar, councillors, and former councillors.

In his address, Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted that the Goa Beyond Beaches initiative, launched in 2022, aims to take tourism to the heart of local communities while empowering women and youth through cultural participation. He announced that Deepotsav will be celebrated annually in Mapusa to showcase Goa’s cultural richness and festive unity.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik expressed his appreciation for the overwhelming response to Deepotsav 2025, noting that the festival embodied Goa’s true spirit of joy, inclusivity, and creativity.

The celebrations began on October 25 at Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Hall, Porvorim, with workshops and competitions in clay modelling, drawing, cooking, fugdi, and traditional costume contests, concluding with the soulful performance Sur Taal. On October 26, the festivities continued at Saligao Panchayat Area with rangoli, cooking, and Veshbhusha Spardha contests, and culminated with Suron Kee Deepawali, a musical tribute to the festival of lights.

With Goa Deepotsav 2025, the Department of Tourism reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cultural tourism, local participation, and sustainable community engagement. The festival stood as a radiant symbol of Goa’s heritage, uniting communities under the glow of countless diyas.

Travel

Goa Welcomes First Charter Flight from Almaty, Kazakhstan for 2025–26 Tourism Season

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa Tourism welcomed the first charter flight of the 2025–26 season from Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 25th October 2025, marking the beginning of a promising new tourism season. Operated by SCAT Airlines (Flight SCAT VSV5212), the flight arrived at Dabolim Airport, South Goa, at 5:30 AM, bringing enthusiastic travellers eager to explore Goa’s diverse offerings beyond its famous beaches.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, noted that the arrival of the first charter flight from Kazakhstan demonstrates Goa’s growing international connectivity and appeal as a global destination. Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, added that each new charter flight strengthens Goa’s position as a preferred leisure destination, thanking travel partners and stakeholders for their support in promoting seamless operations at Dabolim and Mopa airports.

To mark the occasion, the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with Concord Exotic Voyages and TTAG, organized a warm and festive welcome for the guests, featuring a brass band performance, floral garlands, and a cake-cutting ceremony. The inaugural flight signals the start of a season expected to see several charter operations from other international destinations in the coming weeks. Goa Tourism continues to enhance visitor experiences through cultural, adventure, wellness, and heritage offerings under the “Goa Beyond Beaches” initiative, reinforcing the state’s position as a world-class leisure destination.

Travel

Goa to Spotlight Regenerative Tourism & “Feels Like Goa” Campaign at WTM London 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa is set to make a powerful impression on the global tourism map as it participates in World Travel Market (WTM) London 2025, from 4th to 6th November. The Department of Tourism will unveil two key narratives: the state’s Regenerative Tourism model, and its deeply emotional, year-end campaign, “Feels Like Goa.”

Unlike traditional promotional strategies, Goa’s approach this year is rooted in its people, culture, and environment. As India’s first state to formally adopt Regenerative Tourism, Goa aims not just to preserve but to actively restore ecosystems, empower local communities, and celebrate its unique spiritual and cultural heritage. This vision is guided by four foundational pillars—People, Community, Environment, and Economy—with a strong commitment to ensuring that tourism benefits everyone, not just economically, but emotionally and culturally as well.

The “Feels Like Goa” campaign is more than marketing—it’s a heartfelt call to travelers to reconnect with the emotions, nostalgia, and magic that make Goa unforgettable. From village feasts and soulful sunsets to the vibrant end-of-year celebrations that define Goa’s festive spirit, the campaign captures what it truly means to experience the state. It reminds global audiences that Goa is not just a location—it’s a feeling of belonging, warmth, and discovery.

At WTM London, the focus will also be on Goa Beyond Beaches—an invitation to discover the lesser-known spiritual trails, heritage circuits, hinterland escapes, and vibrant cultural festivals that lie beyond the coast. Initiatives like the Ekadasha Teertha Circuit aim to draw attention to Goa’s deep spiritual roots while ensuring that local communities are central to the tourism economy.

Culinary tourism will also take centre stage, highlighting Goa’s diverse and storied food culture. With influences from Hindu, Portuguese, Saraswat, and tribal traditions, Goan cuisine reflects centuries of cultural exchange. Visitors will be invited to explore Goa’s rich flavours through curated culinary trails, traditional feasts, and modern interpretations that continue to evolve.

The state’s vision includes robust plans for the future—investing in community-led tourism enterprises, supporting women and youth empowerment, promoting sustainable infrastructure, and nurturing biodiversity. New projects such as the Unity Mall, Porvorim Town Square, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum are set to enhance Goa’s position as a multi-dimensional tourism destination.

As Goa prepares for the final months of 2025, its participation at WTM London represents a new chapter in how the state defines and shares its identity with the world. This is a tourism model that regenerates, uplifts, and inspires—not only delivering memorable experiences to travelers, but ensuring that every visit contributes positively to Goa’s people and its future.

At WTM London 2025, Goa invites the world to go beyond the beaches, to taste its cuisine, walk its spiritual paths, explore its living traditions, and above all—feel like Goa.

Travel

Goa Tourism Celebrates World Tourism Day 2025 with Grand Stakeholders’ Meet and Felicitations

Tanisha Cardozo

On September 27, 2025, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, in association with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) and SKAL International Goa, marked the culmination of month-long World Tourism Day celebrations with the largest-ever Tourism Stakeholders’ Meet at Grand Hyatt Goa. The event brought together key leaders from the government, tourism industry, academia, influencers, and community-based tourism networks for a day of reflection, recognition, and renewed vision.

The Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, delivered a powerful address underlining the essential ecosystem that powers Goa’s tourism — from entrepreneurs and hoteliers to drivers, lifeguards, fishermen, and culinary professionals. Highlighting this year’s theme, he spoke about tourism not just as a business, but as a cultural expression and a shared identity that weaves together stories of the past and aspirations for the future. Emphasizing that Goa is more than just a beach destination, he reiterated the government’s commitment to making Goa a year-round, sustainable, and inclusive destination through initiatives like Unity Mall, Porvorim Town Square, and the Shivaji Maharaja Digital Museum under the Swadesh Darshan program.

Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, further emphasized that the recognitions awarded on this day were not merely about individual accomplishments but were a celebration of the collective energy that drives Goa’s tourism forward. From students and professionals to influencers and tourism clubs, each individual recognized reflects Goa’s future as a regenerative tourism hub.

The prestigious Shri Vincent Ramos Scholarship was awarded to two meritorious students from the Institute of Hotel Management — Mackenzee Vas and Caitlyn Rosanne Mascarenhas — in the presence of Smt. Deena Ramos, honoring the late visionary’s legacy. Felicitations were also extended to Shri Pele and Shri Parag Ragnekar for their invaluable contributions to Goa Tourism. Noted influencers Smt. Scarlet M. Rose and Shri Moses J. Saldanha were recognized for their unique role in amplifying Goa’s tourism narrative. Additional appreciation was given to Smt. Shishti Sudin Prabhu Desai, Smt. Ashrafi Shetdesai Gaikwad, and Shri Viraj Phadte for their outstanding support.

Youth Tourism Clubs played a pivotal role in the celebrations, and their achievements were recognized through awards to Shri Shail Sawkar of Sridora Caculo College, Smt. Lisa Dias of IHM-Goa, and Dr. Kiran Gaude of P.E.S. Ravi S. Naik College.

The World Tourism Day celebrations will officially conclude with a Grand Finale one-day Film Festival at the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), featuring films that celebrate Goa’s rich cultural and natural heritage. These efforts, led by the Department of Tourism, serve to amplify Goa’s broader vision of “Goa Beyond Beaches,” where tourism becomes a tool for storytelling, regeneration, and inclusive growth.

As stakeholders converged across disciplines and interests, the spirit of collaboration and gratitude defined the day — reinforcing Goa’s role as a global tourism leader embracing innovation, sustainability, and culture.