Tag: Goa Travel

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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.

Business

IHCL Signs Vivanta Hotel in Anjuna, Expanding Its Presence in Goa

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Mumbai, July 03, 2025: In a major development for Goa’s hospitality landscape, the Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) — India’s largest and most iconic hospitality group — has announced the signing of a new greenfield project in Anjuna, which will be branded under its Vivanta portfolio.

The project marks another milestone in IHCL’s strategy to deepen its footprint in premier leisure destinations and strengthen its portfolio of upscale hotels across India.

Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development at IHCL, stated:

“IHCL has been at the forefront of pioneering destinations and has played a defining role in putting Goa on the global tourism map for over five decades. This signing is in line with our strategy to expand IHCL’s presence across segments in key leisure markets. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Fiesta Hotels with this new project.”

Strategic Location & Features

Located in the heart of Anjuna, known for its vibrant beach life, eclectic markets, and rich cultural experiences, the 110-key Vivanta Anjuna, Goa, will offer an elevated stay experience with:

  • An all-day dining restaurant
  • A chic bar
  • A luxurious swimming pool
  • Fully equipped gym
  • Modern, versatile conference and event facilities

Mr. Ravinder Kumar, Director at Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., added:

“We are proud to collaborate with IHCL through the addition of our second hotel in Goa. It stands as a testament to our shared vision to deliver exceptional experiences in one of India’s most cherished destinations.”

Goa – A Timeless Destination

Famed for its sun-kissed beaches, Portuguese-era architecture, and lively culinary and music culture, Goa remains India’s premier coastal destination. IHCL’s deep-rooted presence in the region has not only boosted tourism but also helped preserve and celebrate Goa’s unique cultural identity.

With this latest addition, IHCL now has 18 hotels in Goa, including 5 under development, reinforcing its commitment to India’s hospitality excellence and regional development.

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Goa Unveils ‘Ekadasha Teertha Yatra’ to Promote Spiritual Tourism

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Panaji, June 2025 — In a significant move to diversify its tourism offerings beyond sun, sand, and sea, the Government of Goa has announced a new spiritual tourism initiative titled ‘Ekadasha Teertha Yatra’. The program will spotlight 11 revered temples across the state, crafting a well-curated pilgrimage circuit for visitors seeking spiritual enrichment and cultural immersion.

Reclaiming Goa’s Spiritual Legacy

While Goa is internationally known for its beaches and nightlife, its ancient temples and rich spiritual heritage have long remained underexplored by mainstream tourists. The Ekadasha Teertha Yatra—literally meaning “Pilgrimage of Eleven Sacred Sites”—aims to change that.

The yatra will include stops at 11 iconic temples, representing various deities and regions of Goa. These sacred sites will offer a glimpse into the state’s syncretic history, traditional rituals, temple architecture, and the living culture of devotion practiced by Goans for generations.

“We want to highlight Goa’s lesser-known spiritual richness,” said Tourism Director Kedar Naik, who shared details of the initiative following a strategic meeting held with representatives of the identified temples earlier this week.

Enhancing the Pilgrim Experience

The Goa Tourism Department plans to integrate the circuit with guided tours, devotional music experiences, temple festivals, and local food trails, allowing tourists to engage not only with places of worship but with the broader cultural ecosystem that surrounds them.

Key features under development include:

  • Temple route mapping with historical and mythological context
  • Eco-friendly transport options for pilgrims
  • Spiritual wellness add-ons such as yoga and Ayurveda sessions
  • Souvenir and prasadam kiosks at each site
  • Enhanced infrastructure and accessibility at key temples

Tourism officials also indicated that the yatra will be promoted on both domestic and international platforms, positioning Goa as a holistic destination for the spiritually inclined traveler.

Temples Included in the Yatra

While the final list of temples is yet to be officially released, the circuit is expected to include renowned pilgrimage sites such as:

  • Shri Mangeshi Temple (Priol)
  • Shri Shantadurga Temple (Kavale)
  • Shri Mahadev Temple (Tambdi Surla)
  • Shri Mahalasa Temple (Mardol)
  • Shri Nageshi Temple (Ponda)
    …and others known for their religious and architectural significance.

Promoting Sustainable & Cultural Tourism

The Ekadasha Teertha Yatra is part of Goa’s broader strategy to decentralize tourism and encourage sustainable, culturally rooted travel. By spotlighting spiritual heritage, the state hopes to attract tourists seeking meaningful and reflective journeys, particularly in the post-pandemic era where wellness and mindfulness tourism are on the rise.