Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral
In a strategic move to further enhance its brand positioning and guest engagement strategies, Exotic Resort & Spa ‘Novotel’, located in the vibrant beachside destination of Candolim, Goa, has appointed Rhythm .K. Gandhi as its new Marketing & Communication Manager.
Rhythm joins the Novotel family with a proven track record in hospitality marketing and communications. Her most recent role was as Assistant Manager – Marketing & Communications at Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, where she led various initiatives including social media strategy, creative content, online reputation management, and campaign planning.
Prior to this, Rhythm worked with Impresario Handmade Restaurants in Dehradun, contributing to national campaigns and local community initiatives. At Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort & Spa, she played a pivotal role in repositioning the property as a resort destination and led the execution of the acclaimed “Perfectly Yours – Hyatt India Wedding Campaign.” She was also instrumental in the successful launch of Beyul, the rooftop bar and lounge, overseeing its creative direction, PR, and event planning.
Rhythm’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from IMS Unison University, Dehradun (Class of 2022). She completed her early education at Doon International School, Dehradun, and Convent of Jesus and Mary, Waverley, Mussoorie.
Commenting on her appointment, a spokesperson from Novotel Goa shared:
“Rhythm’s dynamic experience and passion for storytelling align perfectly with our vision to create meaningful connections with our guests. We are confident that her innovative approach will help elevate Novotel’s presence in Goa’s highly competitive hospitality landscape.”
As Goa continues to flourish as a top tourist destination, Novotel’s decision to bring in fresh talent like Rhythm signals its intent to lead with creativity and bold, guest-centric marketing strategies.
The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) in collaboration with the Kashinath Damodar Naik Memorial Trust (KDNMT) has announced the recipients of the Pride of Goa Awards 2025. Instituted to celebrate Goans who have made significant contributions to business and industry, the awards honour both legacy and innovation in leadership.
For 2025, two distinguished personalities have been selected:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Ms. Anju Timblo, Managing Director & CEO of Fomento Resorts and Hotels Pvt. Ltd. A trailblazer in Goa’s hospitality sector, Ms. Timblo has led iconic establishments like Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. Her contributions extend to education, culture, and community development through initiatives such as the Fomento Education and Charitable Societies.
Entrepreneur Award: Mr. Sachin Lawande, President & CEO of Visteon Corporation. Hailing from Taleigao, Mr. Lawande is among the few Goans to achieve global recognition in the corporate world. Under his leadership, Visteon has transformed automotive technology, driving innovations in hybrid and electric powertrains while partnering with leading automakers worldwide.
The Pride of Goa Awards Ceremony is scheduled for December 2025 at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao, with eminent journalist Mr. Vikram Doctor as the keynote speaker.
The awards, instituted in memory of Late Kashinath Damodar Naik—a renowned businessman, historian, and philanthropist—seek to spotlight the achievements of Goans who embody excellence and inspire future generations.
👉 Stay connected with Allycaral for more updates on the Pride of Goa Awards 2025.
Goa’s tourism sector is undergoing a defining transformation, one driven not just by government policy or infrastructure, but by the collective strength and shared vision of its stakeholders. In an increasingly competitive and dynamic travel landscape, the unity among hoteliers, restaurateurs, water sports operators, transport providers, and the Department of Tourism is laying the foundation for a more resilient, sustainable, and visitor-focused future.
The challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic tested every aspect of the tourism value chain. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Tourism adopted a focused and phased approach to revive the sector. Health and safety protocols were strengthened across establishments, awareness campaigns were rolled out to restore traveller confidence, and strategic collaborations with industry stakeholders were prioritised to ensure smooth reopening. Infrastructure upgrades, support for local businesses, and digital transformation were fast-tracked to adapt to new travel preferences. As a result, Goa was among the first destinations in India to witness a strong recovery in tourist footfalls, paving the way for more coordinated and quality-driven tourism development.
In the months and years that followed, stakeholders across the board began working more closely with the Department of Tourism to re-establish Goa’s standing as a premier tourist destination. Protocols were strengthened, services were reoriented, and an emphasis was placed on delivering authentic, safe, and meaningful visitor experiences.
A New Era of Coordination Today, the synergy between the public and private sectors is more visible than ever. The Department of Tourism has institutionalised regular consultation with key associations, ensuring that policy decisions are grounded in operational realities. In turn, industry stakeholders have responded with increased accountability and commitment to quality.
The post-pandemic phase ushered in a new model of collaboration between the Department of Tourism and various stakeholders across the industry. Regular stakeholder meetings, streamlined facilitation processes, and a unified response to emerging challenges have resulted in greater efficiency and preparedness across sectors. From event planning to infrastructure improvements and destination marketing, the partnership between the public and private sectors has strengthened significantly, ensuring that Goa’s tourism offerings are not only consistent and safe but also increasingly aligned with the evolving expectations of travellers.
Promotional campaigns now go beyond generic messaging. By focusing on local culture, heritage festivals, hinterland trails, and culinary narratives, the Department has successfully steered Goa’s brand toward depth and authenticity, resulting in higher year round engagement and more participative tourism.
“The Department’s thoughtful efforts in promoting Goa’s festivals, traditions, and local culture have significantly enhanced visitor engagement. These authentic and grounded narratives have sparked deeper interest among travellers. As a result, we’ve witnessed higher occupancies across both North and South Goa between May and June 2025, largely due to tourists seeking more participative and genuine experiences,” stated Mr. Ranjit Phillipose, Senior Vice president, Operations, IHCL Goa.
Shared Vision for the Future With the upcoming seasons in focus, tourism stakeholders are actively aligning their strategies with shared goals: diversifying tourism circuits, improving service delivery, and promoting Goa as a destination for all seasons. Whether it’s wellness, culture, spiritual tourism, or adventure, there’s a concerted effort to move beyond the beach and nightlife binary.
“We’ve witnessed a significant rise in tourist participation in watersports activities in the first half of 2025, and a lot of that can be attributed to the Department of Tourism’s focused efforts in promoting safe, well-regulated, and diverse experiences. More tourists are now looking for adventure-driven, memorable moments on our shores, and this surge in interest has motivated us to continually improve our offerings while ensuring safety and sustainability remain at the core.” said Mr. Savio D’Souza, Sea Royale Adventure Sport, Candolim.
A key area of collective attention is sustainability. Stakeholders are increasingly aware that growth must not come at the cost of Goa’s environment or communities. Eco-certifications, waste management, energy-efficient practices, and training for frontline staff are being integrated into everyday operations.
Sustainability has emerged as a core pillar of Goa’s tourism revival strategy in the post-pandemic era. Recognising the need to balance growth with long-term ecological and cultural preservation, the Department of Tourism has introduced initiatives that promote responsible travel, community engagement, and low-impact experiences. Homestays, hinterland trails, and heritage circuits are being promoted to distribute tourism more evenly and support local livelihoods.
Regenerative Tourism, focusing on restoring ecosystems and empowering communities, has become central to the State’s approach, ensuring that tourism not only sustains but also enriches Goa’s natural and cultural heritage.
Strength in Unity What was once a fragmented network of individual operators has now evolved into a coordinated ecosystem of partners with a shared sense of purpose. The cooperation witnessed today across the tourism sector in Goa is not only facilitating better outcomes for visitors, but also ensuring long-term benefits for local communities and the environment.
Mr. Jack Sukhija, TTAG President said “What we are witnessing today is a far more cohesive approach to tourism management in Goa. There is a visible shift from fragmented efforts to unified action, whether it is policy consultation, promotion, or on-ground execution. The Department of Tourism has made a conscious effort to involve stakeholders in the decision-making process, and that inclusivity is laying the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable future for Goa’s tourism industry.”
As Goa moves forward, one thing is clear, the strength of its tourism future lies in collective action. With stakeholders united, guided by a vision of quality, sustainability, and innovation, the State is well-positioned to lead the next wave of responsible and rewarding travel in India.
Panaji; 9 April 2025: Goa Tourism is set to participate in the prestigious Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, scheduled to take place from 28th April to 1st May 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE. The participation marks yet another step in Goa’s sustained efforts to strengthen its presence in the Middle East travel market and attract high-value travellers seeking authentic and meaningful experiences.
The Goa Tourism pavilion at ATM Dubai will highlight the state’s evolving tourism narrative — one that goes beyond the conventional sun, sand, and sea, and invite travellers to explore its unique culture, heritage, spiritual circuits, hinterland experiences, ecotourism, and regenerative travel opportunities.
With a strong focus on sustainable and responsible tourism, the delegation will also present new initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and upcoming festivals and events aimed at offering immersive experiences for both domestic and international visitors.
A series of B2B meetings, networking sessions, and media interactions are lined up to engage with tour operators, travel agents, media, and potential investors from across the region. The delegation will also explore partnerships to promote Goa as a year-round destination, well-suited for leisure, MICE, wellness, and spiritual tourism.
Speaking ahead of the event, Director Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, said, “The Arabian Travel Market is a significant platform for us to connect with global industry leaders and showcase Goa’s multifaceted offerings. We are witnessing growing interest from the Gulf region, and this is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our visibility and build long-term relationships.”
Goa’s participation at ATM 2025 highlights its vision to diversify tourism offerings, promote quality infrastructure, and encourage community-led travel experiences — reinforcing Goa’s position as one of India’s most vibrant and forward-looking destinations.
Goa, April 3: Goa’s tourism industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving sector, drawing millions of visitors each year. To ensure seamless operations and data-driven decision-making, the Department of Tourism has introduced the Tourist Information Management Enterprise (TIME), a crucial initiative aimed at streamlining the collection of tourist data from accommodation providers. Under this initiative, every hotelier and accommodation unit is required to submit Statistics Proforma (Form-XI) data on a monthly basis. The submission deadline is the 5th of each month, ensuring that the Department of Tourism receives timely and accurate statistics regarding tourist stays. The data must be submitted online through the official Goa Online portal, making the process more accessible and efficient for all stakeholders.
Compliance with this regulation is directly linked to the renewal of registration certificates for accommodation providers. Hoteliers who fail to upload the required statistics for the preceding year will not be eligible for renewal, reinforcing the importance of timely data submission. By enforcing this mandate, the Department of Tourism aims to improve the overall management of tourism-related data, ensuring that policies and infrastructure developments are backed by accurate and up-to-date information.
While the initiative has been welcomed by many in the tourism industry, some stakeholders believe that its implementation needs to be more stringent. Mrs. Smita Patil, Owner of NV Eco Agro Tourism Pvt. Ltd., operating as NV Ecofarm, expressed her concerns about the system’s enforcement, stating, “A commendable initiative by the government, but unfortunately, its implementation lacks proper enforcement in ensuring that every stakeholder submits the required data. I hope the tourism department takes strict measures to make data submission mandatory for all registered hotels and also ensures that unregistered accommodations are brought under the system. There are numerous guest houses operating without registration, which leads to gaps in tourism data. Proper data collection will enable the department to identify key areas of focus and improve tourism planning.”
Accurate tourism data plays a vital role in shaping Goa’s tourism landscape. Reliable statistics help the government formulate better policies, allocate resources efficiently, and enhance visitor experiences. Additionally, it allows for a more structured approach to sustainable tourism, aligning with the state’s broader vision of Regenerative Tourism. By tracking visitor trends, authorities can make informed decisions to promote responsible tourism while ensuring that the industry thrives in a balanced and sustainable manner.
The introduction of TIME marks a significant step toward a more organized and transparent tourism ecosystem in Goa. With digital reporting becoming mandatory, this initiative strengthens governance, benefits hospitality businesses, and contributes to a more efficient, data-driven tourism sector. Hoteliers are encouraged to comply with the submission requirements to ensure uninterrupted operations and support the collective growth of Goa’s tourism industry.
