Tag: goa tourism

Travel

Aguad Port and Jail Complex to Represent Goa at Asia’s Largest Travel Mart, OTM 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

One of Goa’s most iconic heritage spaces, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex, is set to make its presence felt at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026, to be held from February 5 to 7 at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre. Representing Goa on one of Asia’s largest travel trade platforms, Aguad will showcase the state’s rich cultural history and evolving tourism experiences to a global audience.

OTM is regarded as one of the leading international travel trade exhibitions, focusing on the travel, tourism, hospitality and MICE industries. The event brings together travel brands, destinations, tour operators, buyers and industry professionals from across the world. With around 2,200 exhibitors from over 60 countries, the exhibition is expected to welcome more than 50,000 visitors over the three-day event.

At OTM 2026, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex aims to highlight the diverse experiences offered at the site. These include immersive heritage walks that narrate the complex’s role as a strategic defence structure and as a prison that once housed freedom fighters. By blending historical narratives with curated visitor engagement, Aguad positions itself as a space where Goa’s layered past meets contemporary cultural tourism.

Experiences such as heritage cruises and boat transfers will also be showcased, offering visitors panoramic views of Goa’s coastline, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex, and the surrounding Aguada Bay as vessels glide through the Arabian Sea. These offerings are being positioned as complete experiences that combine scenic beauty, history and leisure.

Speaking about the participation, Savio Mathias, Vice President – Operations and Business Development, Aguad Port and Jail Complex, said that Aguad is more than just a historic landmark and represents a space where Goa’s history comes alive through thoughtfully curated visitor experiences. He noted that OTM provides an ideal platform to present Aguad as a key destination in Goa, with potential for cultural tourism, events and immersive programming, while also fostering collaborations that promote responsible tourism and enhance visitor engagement.

With its participation at OTM 2026, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex continues to strengthen its position as a significant cultural destination, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Goa beyond its beaches through history, heritage and meaningful storytelling.

EduConnect

Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte Welcomes International Young Chef Olympiad Delegates

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, February 3, 2026:
Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte welcomed student delegates representing Sweden, Portugal, Jordan, the Philippines, India, Uganda and Nepal, who are participating in the 12th International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026. The interaction reflected Goa’s growing engagement with global culinary and cultural platforms.


During the meeting, the delegates presented their national flags to the Minister as a symbolic gesture of friendship, cultural exchange and international goodwill, reinforcing the spirit of culinary diplomacy that underpins the Young Chef Olympiad.

The interaction took place on the sidelines of YCO 2026, which opened in Bengaluru with a grand inaugural ceremony marked by global participation and culinary showcases. With young chefs and mentors from over 40 countries participating, the Olympiad has emerged as one of the world’s largest platforms for nurturing emerging culinary talent and fostering people-to-people connections through food and hospitality.

Speaking during the interaction, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte noted that such global engagements align with Goa’s vision of tourism as a medium for meaningful cultural exchange. He said that culinary traditions, like travel, have the ability to transcend borders and promote understanding, collaboration and mutual respect among communities.

The delegates expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and the opportunity to engage with Goa’s tourism leadership, noting that the exchange symbolised unity through diversity and shared cultural values.

Conceived in India and now recognised globally, the International Young Chef Olympiad continues to serve as a platform where cuisine, culture and camaraderie converge. As the competition progresses across multiple cities, interactions such as these reinforce the role of hospitality and food as powerful tools for global connection.

Sports

Goa Tourism Inspires the Next Generation of Cricketers through World Legends Pro T20 League Trophy Tour

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, February 2, 2026: In a bid to inspire young talent and promote inclusive participation in sports, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, in association with the World Legends Pro T20 League, organised a Trophy Tour and Player Interaction at the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) Ground in Porvorim.


The initiative aimed to motivate youth and women to actively engage in sports by offering meaningful interaction with legendary cricketers while highlighting the unifying power of sport. Aspiring sportspersons, students, and cricket enthusiasts gathered for an evening filled with inspiration, learning, and celebration.

The programme featured an interactive Q&A session where participants gained insights into the journeys, challenges, and experiences of professional cricketers. To further boost engagement, a fun quiz segment was conducted, with official merchandise and match tickets awarded to winners. The event concluded with a photo session, allowing attendees to capture memorable moments with the players and the World Legends Pro T20 League trophy.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Tourism Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted the transformative role of sports, stating that sports inspire confidence, resilience, leadership, and values such as teamwork, discipline, and inclusivity. He reaffirmed Goa’s commitment to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for participation across all sections of society.

The event began with a warm welcome by the emcee, setting an inclusive and engaging tone for the evening. The Trophy Tour and Player Interaction formed part of the lead-up to the World Legends Pro T20 League matches in Goa and reflected the Department of Tourism’s continued efforts to promote sports tourism while fostering empowering community-driven experiences.

Events in Goa

Statewide Shigmo Festival 2026 to Be Celebrated Across Goa from March 5 to 18

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Panaji, February 2, 2026: Goa is all set to celebrate Shigmo 2026, one of the State’s most vibrant cultural festivals, showcasing its rich folk heritage through music, dance, and artistic expressions. A high-level meeting to review and plan the organisation of Shigmo float parades across various centres was chaired by Minister for Tourism, Rohan A. Khaunte, in the presence of Director of Tourism Kedar Naik and Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Kuldeep Arolkar.


The meeting focused on ensuring the smooth and successful execution of the festival, with discussions covering logistics, adherence to timelines, inter-departmental coordination, and promotional strategies aimed at enhancing the reach and appeal of Shigmo 2026.

Following the meeting, a press conference was held where Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik, along with MD GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar and Deputy General Manager (Marketing/Hotels), GTDC Deepak Narvekar, officially announced the festival dates, centres, and key arrangements.

Addressing the media, Naik informed that Shigmo 2026 will be celebrated from March 5 to March 18, with colourful float parades organised across 19 centres in the State. The celebrations will commence in Ponda on March 5, followed by Calangute (March 6), Panaji (March 7), Mapusa (March 8), Mandrem (March 9), Bicholim (March 10), Sanquelim (March 11), Shiroda and Sanguem (March 12), Dharbandora and Cuncolim (March 13), Margao (March 14), Porvorim and Vasco (March 15), Valpoi and Curchorem (March 16), Quepem and Canacona (March 17), and will conclude at Pernem on March 18, 2026.

The Director further stated that the Department of Tourism provides two types of grants annually for Shigmo celebrations—infrastructure support and prize money. This year, infrastructure assistance has been enhanced by an additional ₹1 lakh per centre to further strengthen festival arrangements.

It was emphasised that parade routes must be finalised by the respective Shigmotsav Committees in consultation with the Traffic Cell and with prior permissions to ensure smooth traffic flow and public convenience. Committees were instructed to strictly adhere to all prescribed rules and regulations. A new set of guidelines for Romtamel groups has also been introduced, including a cap of 150 participants per group. Shigmo processions are to begin at 4:00 pm and conclude within the stipulated government time limits.

Representatives from various Municipal Councils, officials from the Police Department, Traffic Cell, Fire and Emergency Services, Assistant Director (Tourism) Jayesh Kankonkar, and other concerned departments were present, reflecting coordinated planning for the successful conduct of the festival.

Shigmo Festival 2026 is expected to once again bring together communities and visitors, offering an immersive experience of Goa’s living cultural traditions through vibrant floats, folk performances, and festive celebrations across the State.

Travel

Goa Sees Near-Full Hotel Occupancy as New Year Begins on a High Tourism Note

allycaralgoa

Panjim | January 29, 2026

Written by Alisha Fernandes || Allycaral

Goa has ushered in the New Year on a robust tourism footing, with hotels across the State reporting near-full to full occupancy, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most preferred travel destinations. The strong performance during the New Year period highlights sustained demand and sets a positive tone for the tourism sector in the months ahead.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, said the encouraging figures reflect the success of the State’s focused and long-term tourism strategy.
“The strong hotel occupancy witnessed at the start of the New Year reflects the success of our focused approach towards quality tourism. Our emphasis has been on diversifying tourism experiences, improving infrastructure, and promoting responsible and regenerative tourism practices. This growth is not just about numbers, but about creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities while ensuring long-term sustainability of the destination,” he stated.

The impressive occupancy levels are attributed to consistent efforts aimed at enhancing destination readiness, improving connectivity, and positioning Goa as a year-round tourism destination. Visitors arriving during the New Year period showed growing interest beyond the beaches, exploring cultural, wellness, spiritual, and hinterland tourism experiences — leading to a more balanced tourism footprint across the State.

Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, noted that the New Year response validates the evolving direction of Goa’s tourism ecosystem.
“The encouraging occupancy levels are a direct outcome of strategic planning, destination preparedness, and continuous engagement with stakeholders. Goa’s tourism ecosystem is evolving with a focus on experiences beyond the beaches, and the New Year response clearly validates this direction,” he said.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the strong start to the year, observing increased confidence among travellers and tour operators. The surge in arrivals has also generated a positive ripple effect across allied sectors including transport services, restaurants, homestays, and local businesses, strengthening the overall tourism economy.

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jack Sukhija, President, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), said, “The New Year has commenced on an extremely positive note for Goa’s tourism sector, with hotel occupancies touching very high levels across categories. This clearly indicates sustained demand and renewed confidence among travellers.”

With the Department of Tourism continuing to work closely with industry partners to ensure safe, seamless, and high-quality visitor experiences, Goa’s tourism sector appears well-positioned for steady, inclusive, and sustainable growth in 2026.