Tag: goa tourism

Travel

Goa Tourism Showcases Future-Ready Vision at QTM 2025 with Grand Pavilion Inauguration

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Goa Tourism marked a significant milestone at the Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2025 with the inauguration of its pavilion by Mr. Vipul, IFS, Indian Ambassador to Qatar, in the presence of Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik, GTDC General Manager (Marketing) Mr. Gavin Dias, and other dignitaries. The event highlighted Goa’s focused global outreach and its commitment to positioning itself as a premium destination aligned with emerging travel trends.

Speaking at the inauguration, Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte emphasized that Goa has entered a transformative phase where sustainability, community empowerment, and experiential tourism are central drivers of growth. He stated that the State’s participation in QTM 2025 strengthens its connection with one of its most important international markets and reinforces its ambition to diversify Goa’s tourism portfolio across leisure, wellness, weddings, adventure, and film tourism. His remarks underscored Goa’s vision of delivering high-quality, responsible, and innovative tourism experiences that match global expectations.

Echoing this vision, Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik highlighted that QTM 2025 provides a valuable opportunity to present Goa beyond its popular coastline by showcasing regenerative tourism models, upgraded infrastructure, and curated visitor experiences designed for authenticity and quality. The interactions on the opening day demonstrated strong international interest in Goa as a multifaceted destination capable of offering memorable and meaningful experiences.

The pavilion presented a refreshed narrative of Goa’s tourism landscape, displaying new and evolving offerings shaped by global travel trends. Visitors were introduced to the State’s strengthened focus on regenerative tourism, community-led initiatives, and improved visitor infrastructure, along with emerging verticals such as nocto tourism, jet-setting through film and screen tourism, and calming wellness-oriented “calmcations.” The State’s expanding portfolio reflects its long-term commitment to sustainable development and experience-driven travel.

Throughout the day, the Goa pavilion witnessed enthusiastic participation from travel trade professionals, international tour operators, media delegates, and industry buyers. Conversations revolved around infrastructure advancements, digital tourism innovations, heritage conservation projects, and community-driven tourism circuits that aim to create meaningful impact for both travellers and local communities.

The opening day concluded on an optimistic note, reinforcing Goa Tourism’s strong presence at QTM 2025. With a future-ready vision and a comprehensive tourism offering, the Goa delegation is set to continue its engagements over the next two days, deepening partnerships and strengthening the State’s global position as a diverse, responsible, and world-class travel destination.

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16 People, Including Five Foreign Tourists, Rescued from Drowning by Drishti Marine Over the Weekend

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Over the weekend, Drishti Marine lifesavers undertook a series of critical rescue operations across Goa’s coastline and at Dudhsagar waterfalls, saving the lives of sixteen people, including five foreign nationals. The incidents unfolded across multiple beaches, with rip currents, unforeseen wave surges and visitor misjudgment posing significant dangers. At Mandrem beach, lifesavers rescued a Russian couple who had been pulled nearly 100 metres offshore by a rip current, followed by another rescue involving a man from Uttar Pradesh who faced similar difficulties.

Morjim beach witnessed the rescue of a UK tourist dragged around 60 metres into the sea, while at Baga, a tourist from Maharashtra required immediate intervention to return safely to shore. Candolim beach saw a lifesaver assist a 19-year-old from Telangana who struggled to swim back after drifting out.

At Bogmalo, an 11-year-old girl was treated for a jellyfish sting, with lifesavers providing immediate first aid before transferring her to medical care. Another medical emergency unfolded at Velsao beach, where lifesavers assisted a 54-year-old woman who had fallen in shallow water and experienced breathing difficulties, stabilising her until an ambulance arrived. At Betalbatim, two elderly Russian women were caught in a rip current, and despite a language barrier preventing them from responding to warnings, lifesavers swiftly rescued both.

A similar emergency occurred at Benaulim beach where a man from Hyderabad was pulled offshore, prompting a coordinated rescue. At Colva beach, lifesavers traced and reunited a five-year-old boy from Karnataka who had wandered away from his parents, following proper identification protocols.

Further south, at Palolem, a kayak carrying a man and a child capsized 500 metres offshore, and lifesavers responded on a jet ski. At Agonda, a couple swimming outside the safe zone found themselves in danger when the woman was caught in a rip current, prompting a rescue. At Patnem beach, two tourists from Uttarakhand were pulled by strong currents and brought ashore by a lifesaver using a surfboard.

Two separate incidents at Dudhsagar waterfalls involved a three-and-a-half-year-old girl from Kerala and a tourist from Hyderabad, both of whom were rescued after entering deep water without life jackets. These coordinated efforts by Drishti Marine reflect the lifesavers’ unwavering vigilance and their essential role in maintaining safety across Goa’s beaches and water destinations. Their timely interventions, spanning rescues, reunions and emergency first aid, ensured that potential tragedies were averted across multiple high-traffic tourist locations.

Travel

Goa Tourism Strengthens Global Footprint with Successful Malaysia Roadshow

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, has successfully concluded its exclusive roadshow in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking another milestone in the State’s growing global outreach. The event drew an enthusiastic response from Malaysia’s travel trade community, reinforcing Goa’s expanding presence in the Southeast Asian tourism market.

Led by the Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, along with General Manager (Marketing) GTDC, Shri Gavin Dias, and key industry representatives, the delegation engaged with leading tour operators, travel partners, and hospitality stakeholders, creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration. The presence of dignitaries such as Dr. Vivekanand, First Secretary of the Indian High Commission; MATTA President, Shri Nigel; and Director General of Malaysia Tourism, Shri Datuk Manoharan, added significance to the international engagement.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, highlighted that Goa is emerging as a global destination rooted in innovation, culture, and sustainability. He noted that the Malaysia roadshow provided a valuable platform to showcase Goa’s new vibrancy shaped by responsible and regenerative tourism, reaffirming the State’s commitment to nurturing deeper international partnerships and enhancing its global positioning.

Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, expressed satisfaction with the encouraging response from Malaysian travel partners, emphasizing that Goa today represents a diverse tourism landscape encompassing entertainment, wellness, luxury, and rich cultural programmes. The roadshow highlighted Goa’s signature festivals, improved air connectivity, expanding hotel infrastructure, and an evolving range of experiential tourism offerings that cater to modern travellers seeking meaningful journeys.

By reinforcing its focus on regenerative tourism and experience-led travel, Goa showcased itself as a destination that seamlessly blends innovation with cultural depth. The Department of Tourism expressed confidence that the Malaysia Roadshow will pave the way for fruitful partnerships, strengthen bilateral tourism ties, and support its broader global outreach initiatives aimed at expanding Goa’s presence in priority international markets.

Travel

A Treasury of Life: India’s Largest Exhibition of Company Paintings Opens in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

DAG, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, is presenting A Treasury of Life: Indian Company Paintings, c. 1790–1835, the most comprehensive exhibition of Company Paintings ever mounted in India. Opening on 1 December 2025 at the Aguad Port & Jail Complex and running until 14 January 2026, the exhibition brings together 200 extraordinary works created by Indian artists who worked for European patrons in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Company paintings have long occupied an ambiguous position in Indian art history, often viewed as too late for the classical court tradition yet too early for modernism. This exhibition challenges that notion by showing how these artists blended indigenous techniques with Western influences, responding creatively to new patrons and subjects. Their work spans natural history, architecture, and depictions of daily life—each rendered with a mix of accuracy, sensitivity, and innovation. These paintings not only document India’s flora, fauna, built heritage, and social customs but also preserve memories of worlds that have since transformed or disappeared.

Curated by Giles Tillotson, SVP at DAG, the exhibition includes works by celebrated artists such as Sita Ram, Sewak Ram, and Chuni Lal, alongside European references by artists like James Forbes and F.B. Solvyns that help illuminate the artistic dialogue of the time. The showcase highlights how Indian artists forged a new visual language, laying the groundwork for future developments in Indian modernism.

Leaders from DAG and Goa Tourism emphasise the significance of hosting this exhibition in a historic site like Aguad, reinforcing Goa’s commitment to heritage-centred cultural experiences. The accompanying publication deepens the exploration with essays by leading scholars in the field.

Presenting a vital and often overlooked part of India’s artistic legacy, A Treasury of Life invites audiences to rediscover the creativity, adaptability, and brilliance of the Indian artists who shaped this remarkable visual tradition.

#faith

GTDC to Host World-Famous Dance Drama ‘RAM’ on 29th & 30th November in Goa

allycaralgoa

In a landmark cultural initiative, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has announced that Goa will host the world-famous dance drama RAM, one of India’s most celebrated and iconic stage productions. The performances will be held on 29th November at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina Vasco, and on 30th November 2025 at Kala Academy, Panjim.

GTDC Chairman Shri Kedar J. Naik expressed pride in bringing the revered production to Goa, stating, “Goa is privileged to host RAM, a production that has touched countless lives across generations. Our focus is to bring distinguished cultural experiences to our people and enrich our artistic and social fabric.”

GTDC Managing Director Shri Kuldeep Arolkar added, “Hosting a production of this scale reaffirms our commitment to promoting diverse and meaningful cultural engagements. Goa Tourism is proud to support initiatives that celebrate India’s cultural legacy.”

The production, staged by Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra—one of India’s premier cultural institutions—has been witnessed by millions worldwide and is admired for its powerful storytelling, refined choreography, and artistic excellence. RAM stands as one of the most iconic interpretations of India’s historic epic tradition.

This initiative aligns with Goa’s ongoing commitment to elevating its cultural landscape. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Goa continues to promote meaningful artistic exchanges and world-class cultural experiences.

Adding to this culturally significant moment, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Goa on 28th November to unveil a magnificent 77-foot statue of Lord Ram at the Shree Samsthan Gokarna Partagali Jeevottam Mutt, Canacona. GTDC’s staging of RAM complements this landmark event, reinforcing Goa’s readiness to showcase its cultural depth and hospitality.

The event is supported by Ravindra Bhavan Vasco and Kala Academy Panaji, both of which have extended their venues for the performances, ensuring accessibility for audiences across Goa.

Entry will be provided through entry bands on a first-come, first-served basis, making the event open and accessible to all.

GTDC and the Department of Tourism invite the people of Goa to witness RAM, a timeless cultural masterpiece that celebrates India’s heritage through breathtaking artistry.

For more information, contact: 9823679702 & 7972922490