Tag: Heritage Travel

Travel

IRCTC Golden Chariot Luxury Train Showcases Goa’s Culture to Premium Travellers

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa Tourism warmly welcomed the IRCTC Golden Chariot Luxury Train at Madgaon on November 5, 2025, offering high-end travellers a chance to experience the State’s rich culture, heritage, and hospitality. Among the guests were 26 international travellers who enjoyed a carefully curated itinerary featuring immersive heritage-led activities.

Visitors explored prominent churches in North Goa, gaining insights into the region’s spiritual and architectural significance, and experiencing a side of Goa beyond its famous beaches. Following the cultural tour, the Golden Chariot continued its journey towards Bengaluru.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, emphasized that such visits help travellers appreciate Goa’s culture, heritage, and warm hospitality, while supporting initiatives that create meaningful experiences and benefit local communities. Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik noted the growing interest in cultural and heritage tourism, welcoming the opportunity to showcase Goa’s diverse offerings to discerning travellers.

This visit aligns with Goa Tourism’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable, immersive, and culturally rooted experiences, positioning the State as a premium, year-round travel destination. By bringing together luxury travel and authentic local experiences, the Golden Chariot visit reinforces Goa’s reputation as a destination that combines heritage, culture, and world-class hospitality.

Travel

Goa to Spotlight Culture, Wellness & Sustainability at ITB Asia 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa, October 2025 – The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, will participate in ITB Asia 2025, Asia’s leading B2B travel trade show, taking place from 15–17 October 2025 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. This strategic participation underlines Goa’s commitment to promoting itself as a destination that offers more than leisure — focusing on authentic, meaningful, and sustainable travel experiences.

At the global event, Goa Tourism will unveil its evolving tourism model that prioritizes cultural richness, spiritual depth, ecological responsibility, and community empowerment. Key offerings at the Goa Pavilion will include immersive experiences in spiritual tourism circuits, heritage trails showcasing Indo-Portuguese architecture and living traditions, and wellness tourism rooted in yoga and holistic healing.

Joining the tourism delegation, the Goa Forest Department will present Goa’s exceptional natural wealth — including wildlife sanctuaries, biodiversity hotspots, and nature-based experiences like immersive zoos and conservation-led ecotourism. The aim is to position Goa not just as a destination, but as an ecosystem where nature, culture, and community harmoniously coexist.

The pavilion will also spotlight festivals, rural tourism initiatives, and projects that directly engage local communities and support environmental preservation. These are designed to align with Goa’s broader vision of regenerative tourism — where tourism contributes positively to the places and people it touches.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, noted that Goa is entering a new chapter in its tourism story. “At ITB Asia 2025, we aim to build meaningful global partnerships and showcase Goa as a forward-thinking destination with upgraded infrastructure, safer travel environments, and diverse experiences rooted in our identity,” he said.

Echoing the sentiment, Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, emphasized the value of connecting with a global audience: “Our presence at ITB Asia is about presenting Goa as a place where heritage, nature, and community come together to create enriching journeys.”

Goa’s participation at ITB Asia 2025 is not just promotional — it’s transformational. It marks the state’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships, access new markets, and showcase a tourism model that is future-ready, inclusive, and globally relevant. From local culture to conservation, the Goa Pavilion will offer a complete picture of what responsible and regenerative travel can look like in one of India’s most beloved destinations.

Travel

Oman Delegation Explores Goa’s Culture, Heritage, and Hospitality

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

Goa Tourism recently hosted a distinguished delegation of influencers, travel agents, and partners from Oman on an exclusive three-day journey that brought together the best of Goa’s culture, heritage, and hospitality. This carefully curated visit was designed to deepen cultural ties and lay the foundation for future tourism collaborations between Goa and Oman, reflecting centuries of shared history and maritime exchange between the two regions.

The journey began with a warm welcome at The Yellow House, a charming heritage site that perfectly set the tone for what lay ahead. Here, the delegation was introduced to Goan warmth and hospitality over a traditional high tea, giving them their first taste of the state’s rich culinary and social traditions.

A guided heritage walk at the historic Aguad Port and Jail Complex followed, immersing guests in Goa’s layered past, colonial architecture, and stories that have shaped its identity. The experience provided a meaningful context to Goa beyond its beaches, spotlighting the state’s deep-rooted cultural significance.

Later, the delegation visited Devaaya in Malar, Divar, where a wholesome brunch was served amidst serene surroundings. The location is known for promoting holistic living and wellness rooted in Goan traditions — a growing appeal for international travelers seeking mindful travel experiences. A lively stroll through the local market introduced the guests to the vibrancy of everyday Goan life, with its riot of colors, spices, and friendly chatter.

The Honourable Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, emphasized the importance of the visit by stating, “Goa has shared longstanding cultural and historical ties with Oman, rooted in centuries of trade, exchange, and shared traditions.” Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, added, “This visit was an opportunity to showcase Goa’s diverse offerings and highlight Goa’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for visitors from Arabian countries.”

The visit culminated with a beachside dinner at Britto’s, one of Goa’s most iconic culinary landmarks, where the delegation savored Goan cuisine against the backdrop of a starlit coastline. Before departing, guests were taken to the historic Taj Heritage Village — a fitting close to a journey that celebrated heritage, hospitality, and future partnerships.