Tag: goa tourism

Travel

Department of Tourism Signs MoU with Gomantak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya to Boost Wellness Tourism in Goa

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Panaji, December 26, 2025: In a significant move to strengthen wellness tourism in the state, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gomantak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya and Research Centre (GAMRC), Shiroda–Goa, at Paryatan Bhavan, Patto.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Ashok Naik (GCS), Principal of GAMRC Dr. Neelesh Pramod Korde, Dr Sneha Bhagwat, President of the Goa Council of Ayurvedic and Allied Indian Systems of Medicine, Dr Minal Joshi, Deputy Director (AYUSH), DHS Goa, Dr Dharmendra Desai, Vice President, and Dr Joy Periera, Officiating Registrar.

Under the agreement, the Department of Tourism and GAMRC will collaborate to promote Ayurveda- and Yoga-based wellness tourism through customised wellness packages, coordinated digital marketing initiatives, and participation in national and international tourism forums. The partnership also includes the development of wellness infrastructure such as Ayurveda and Yoga centres at tourism properties, AYUSH information cells, promotional materials, and structured capacity-building programmes through training, research, and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan Ashok Khaunte said that wellness tourism is a key pillar of Goa’s evolving tourism narrative. He added that the collaboration brings together traditional knowledge systems with organised tourism development, enabling Goa to offer authentic, high-quality wellness experiences while creating sustainable value for local institutions and communities.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Ashok Naik stated that the MoU provides a structured framework for coordinated efforts in promotion, training, and knowledge exchange, aligned with the state’s tourism objectives.

The partnership is expected to further position Goa as a holistic wellness destination by integrating traditional Indian systems of medicine with modern tourism offerings, enhancing visitor experiences while supporting knowledge-driven and community-based tourism development.

Events in Goa

Raponkarcho Sea Food Festival 2025 Celebrates Goa’s Fishing Heritage in Arambol

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, will organise the Raponkarcho Sea Food Festival 2025 from December 28 to 30 at the Main Parking Area, Arambol, highlighting Goa’s rich seafood heritage, traditional fishing culture and vibrant coastal lifestyle. The three-day festival aims to offer visitors an immersive cultural experience rooted in local cuisine, music and community participation.

The festival will feature traditional Goan seafood cuisine stalls, cultural programmes and live musical performances, with entry free for all visitors. Programmes will begin daily from 6.00 pm, while the inaugural ceremony will take place on December 28 at 5.30 pm in the presence of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Tourism Minister Shri Rohan Ashok Khaunte, senior government officials and representatives from the tourism sector.

Speaking ahead of the festival, Tourism Minister Shri Rohan Ashok Khaunte said fishing has been central to Goa’s way of life for generations and continues to shape its coastal communities and food culture. He noted that the festival provides a platform to honour the skills of the fishing community while promoting authentic Goan seafood and strengthening cultural tourism through community-led initiatives.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik stated that the festival has been curated to bring together cuisine, music and cultural engagement in a festive setting, with Arambol serving as an ideal venue to showcase Goa’s cultural diversity and local traditions.

The opening night on December 28 will feature a musical line-up led by iconic Goan singer Lorna, along with performances by Purple Rain, Black Slade and Afroz Sayyed. December 29 will see performances by Gravity, Brainwash, 24K India and Teri Miko, while the festival will conclude on December 30 with performances by Forefront, The Imperial, Usman and Sartek.

Through initiatives like the Raponkarcho Sea Food Festival, the Department of Tourism continues to promote Goa’s traditional cuisine, cultural expressions and community participation, enhancing the festive tourism experience during the year-end season.

Special Occasion

This Liberation Day, Step into History at Aguad Port and Jail Complex with Free Entry for Goans

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

To commemorate the 64th Goa Liberation Day, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex at Sinquerim is opening its doors to Goan residents with no entry charge, allowing them to celebrate the historic occasion by reconnecting with the state’s liberation legacy. Goans can avail free entry by furnishing any government-certified identification or proof of residence.

As a prominent cultural and historical landmark, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex offers a poignant glimpse into Goa’s past and its long struggle for freedom. Once a place where freedom fighters were incarcerated, the complex today stands as a powerful reminder of their sacrifices and resilience. Visitors can explore former jail cells that have been transformed into a digital interactive museum, dedicated to narrating the stories of Goa’s freedom movement and the lives of those who fought for liberation.

The museum presents immersive narratives, archival material, and visual storytelling that help visitors understand the journey towards Goa’s liberation. A dedicated memorial wall honours the countless freedom fighters whose names are etched as a lasting tribute to their courage and contribution. The initiative encourages Goans to rediscover their heritage, reflect on the sacrifices made, and celebrate the spirit of freedom on this significant day.

The free-entry initiative will be available on Thursday, December 19, 2025, from 10 am onwards at the Aguad Port and Jail Complex, Sinquerim.

Travel

Goa Crowned ‘Best Romantic Destination’ at Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Goa has been conferred with the Winner – Best Romantic Destination at the prestigious Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards 2025, further reaffirming its position as one of India’s most admired and loved travel destinations. The award was presented at a distinguished ceremony held at Nandiya Gardens, ITC Maurya, New Delhi, on December 16, 2025. The honour on behalf of the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, was received by Ms. Swati Prabhu Shastri, currently serving at Goa Sadan on deputation from the Education Department.

This recognition highlights Goa’s timeless appeal, from its scenic coastline and intimate hospitality experiences to its vibrant cultural fabric and seamless balance of luxury with laid-back charm. Over the years, Goa has evolved beyond its beach identity, offering meaningful experiences rooted in heritage, wellness, hinterland exploration, and responsible tourism, making it a preferred destination for couples and travellers alike.

Reacting to the recognition, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte described the award as a proud moment for the state, noting that Goa offers far more than picturesque landscapes. He emphasised that the essence of romance in Goa lies in its culture, warmth, authenticity, and strong sense of place, while reiterating the government’s commitment to regenerative tourism that benefits both visitors and local communities.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik also welcomed the honour, stating that the recognition reflects the consistent efforts of the Department of Tourism, industry stakeholders, and local communities. He highlighted how curated experiences such as heritage stays, wellness retreats, immersive cultural encounters, and responsible tourism initiatives continue to strengthen Goa’s identity while keeping pace with evolving traveller expectations.

Now in its 14th year, the Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards is a marquee celebration recognising excellence across the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. This accolade reinforces Goa’s positioning as a destination that effortlessly blends celebration with serenity, luxury with simplicity, and romance with sustainability. The Department of Tourism expressed its gratitude to Travel + Leisure India, industry partners, and travellers for their continued trust and support, viewing the award as a strong endorsement of Goa’s vision for experience-led, responsible, and regenerative tourism.

Events in Goa

DAG Unveils Landmark Exhibition on Indian Company Paintings at Aguad Port & Jail Complex, Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

DAG, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, has opened A Treasury of Life: Indian Company Paintings, c. 1790 to 1835, the most comprehensive exhibition of its kind in India, at the Aguad Port & Jail Complex. Featuring over 200 works drawn entirely from the DAG collection, the exhibition is curated by Giles Tillotson, Senior Vice President at DAG, and remains on view from 2 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, following a private preview held on 1 December.

Dedicated to honouring the largely anonymous Indian artists commissioned by the East India Company in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the exhibition explores how these painters responded creatively to new forms of patronage. Moving beyond traditional courtly conventions, they developed entirely new visual languages that blended Indian artistic practices with Western influences, marking a crucial transition in the evolution of Indian art.

Long marginalised within art historical narratives, Company painting has often been viewed as falling between classical tradition and modernism. A Treasury of Life challenges this perception by positioning the genre as a vital precursor to Indian modernism. The exhibition presents works across three broad themes: natural history, architecture, and Indian manners and customs. Together, these paintings document India’s flora and fauna with scientific precision, record architectural landmarks and cityscapes through hybrid visual techniques, and vividly portray traders, artisans, religious figures, and sacred idols.

Beyond their aesthetic value, these works serve as historical records of worlds that have since undergone profound transformation. From depictions of now-endangered plant species and altered ecosystems to careful renderings of architectural heritage and social customs, the paintings offer rare visual insights into India’s past. They also reflect European patrons’ desire to document an unfamiliar land and the ingenuity with which Indian artists adapted their skills to meet new expectations and audiences.

The exhibition includes works by known Company artists such as Sita Ram, Sewak Ram, and Chuni Lal, alongside contextual works by European artists including James Forbes, F. B. Solvyns, and Charles Gold. These references illuminate the broader visual culture of the period, demonstrating how Indian painters engaged with foreign models to create something entirely new rather than merely imitating Western styles.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, said the exhibition brings to Goa an extraordinary era of Indian artistic brilliance and reinforces the state’s growing role as a centre for heritage-driven cultural experiences. Ashish Anand, CEO and Managing Director of DAG, noted that the exhibition builds on the gallery’s longstanding commitment to presenting pre-modern and hybrid art practices that laid the groundwork for Indian modernism.

Director of the Department of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, highlighted the exhibition’s contribution to Goa’s cultural calendar and its role in promoting meaningful tourism rooted in learning and heritage. Managing Director of GTDC, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, and Vice President of Operations and Business Development at Aguad Port and Jail Complex, Shri Savio Mathias, also emphasised the importance of hosting high-calibre cultural initiatives that bring together art, history, and public engagement.

Accompanied by a publication featuring an introductory essay by curator Giles Tillotson and scholarly contributions from Apurba Chatterjee, Nicolas Roth, Malini Roy, Rosie Llewellyn-Jones, and Jennifer Howes, A Treasury of Life repositions Company painting as an essential chapter in India’s artistic journey. The exhibition invites audiences to reconsider the beginnings of modern Indian art through the lens of a genre that captured a moment of profound transition and creative exchange.