Tag: India Travel

Travel

Akasa Air Unveils Christmas Special Goan-Inspired Festive Meal for December Flyers

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Akasa Air is bringing festive joy to travellers this December with the launch of Café Akasa’s fourth edition of the Christmas Special Meal. Designed to celebrate the warmth, nostalgia and indulgence of the holiday season, the festive offering beautifully blends classic Christmas flavours with the light, coastal charm of Goan cuisine. Travellers can look forward to a delicious Roast Chicken Pie accompanied by a rich Mocha Bebinca and a beverage of choice, creating a wholesome and comforting dining experience in the skies. Available exclusively throughout December across the Akasa Air network, this special meal can be conveniently pre-booked via the airline’s website or mobile app.

The Christmas Special Meal reflects Akasa Air’s continued commitment to offering thoughtfully curated dining options that celebrate India’s vibrant tapestry of regional and seasonal traditions. Since its inception in 2022, Café Akasa has delighted passengers with a wide array of festive menus inspired by occasions such as Makar Sankranti, Holi, Eid, Onam, Diwali and more, making each celebration feel special even while travelling. In addition to its festive offerings, the airline also allows flyers to pre-order cakes for birthday celebrations on board, adding a personalised touch to journeys in the air.

The Café Akasa menu, refreshed frequently, features over 45 gourmet options ranging from fusion meals and appetisers with regional twists to indulgent desserts, all crafted by renowned chefs to suit diverse dietary preferences. With its latest Christmas edition, Café Akasa once again elevates the in-flight dining experience, ensuring travellers can savour the spirit of the holidays from the moment they take to the skies.

Travel

Goa to Spotlight Regenerative Tourism & “Feels Like Goa” Campaign at WTM London 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa is set to make a powerful impression on the global tourism map as it participates in World Travel Market (WTM) London 2025, from 4th to 6th November. The Department of Tourism will unveil two key narratives: the state’s Regenerative Tourism model, and its deeply emotional, year-end campaign, “Feels Like Goa.”

Unlike traditional promotional strategies, Goa’s approach this year is rooted in its people, culture, and environment. As India’s first state to formally adopt Regenerative Tourism, Goa aims not just to preserve but to actively restore ecosystems, empower local communities, and celebrate its unique spiritual and cultural heritage. This vision is guided by four foundational pillars—People, Community, Environment, and Economy—with a strong commitment to ensuring that tourism benefits everyone, not just economically, but emotionally and culturally as well.

The “Feels Like Goa” campaign is more than marketing—it’s a heartfelt call to travelers to reconnect with the emotions, nostalgia, and magic that make Goa unforgettable. From village feasts and soulful sunsets to the vibrant end-of-year celebrations that define Goa’s festive spirit, the campaign captures what it truly means to experience the state. It reminds global audiences that Goa is not just a location—it’s a feeling of belonging, warmth, and discovery.

At WTM London, the focus will also be on Goa Beyond Beaches—an invitation to discover the lesser-known spiritual trails, heritage circuits, hinterland escapes, and vibrant cultural festivals that lie beyond the coast. Initiatives like the Ekadasha Teertha Circuit aim to draw attention to Goa’s deep spiritual roots while ensuring that local communities are central to the tourism economy.

Culinary tourism will also take centre stage, highlighting Goa’s diverse and storied food culture. With influences from Hindu, Portuguese, Saraswat, and tribal traditions, Goan cuisine reflects centuries of cultural exchange. Visitors will be invited to explore Goa’s rich flavours through curated culinary trails, traditional feasts, and modern interpretations that continue to evolve.

The state’s vision includes robust plans for the future—investing in community-led tourism enterprises, supporting women and youth empowerment, promoting sustainable infrastructure, and nurturing biodiversity. New projects such as the Unity Mall, Porvorim Town Square, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum are set to enhance Goa’s position as a multi-dimensional tourism destination.

As Goa prepares for the final months of 2025, its participation at WTM London represents a new chapter in how the state defines and shares its identity with the world. This is a tourism model that regenerates, uplifts, and inspires—not only delivering memorable experiences to travelers, but ensuring that every visit contributes positively to Goa’s people and its future.

At WTM London 2025, Goa invites the world to go beyond the beaches, to taste its cuisine, walk its spiritual paths, explore its living traditions, and above all—feel like Goa.

Travel

Goa Unveils Four Landmark Tourism Projects with Visionary Push Toward Sustainable Growth

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa marked a monumental day in its tourism evolution with the foundation stone laying of four landmark projects aimed at transforming the state’s tourism offerings through sustainability, culture, and community empowerment. The ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, and Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte.

The projects include the Town Square at Porvorim, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi, PM Ekta Mall at Chimbel, and the Eco-Tourism Project at Harvalem. Each initiative has been designed to add depth to Goa’s tourism identity — extending beyond beaches and nightlife, and into heritage, nature, craftsmanship, and inclusive growth.

The Town Square at Porvorim is envisioned as an urban community hub, integrating green spaces, walking trails, amphitheatres, and recreational zones. It serves both locals and visitors as a smart leisure space and a model for community-centric urban tourism.

At Farmagudi, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum will pay tribute to the legendary Maratha warrior. Through interactive exhibitions and immersive storytelling, the museum will highlight the cultural, maritime, and historical legacy of the Konkan coast, enhancing Goa’s cultural tourism map.

The PM Ekta Mall in Chimbel, developed under the Government of India’s Unity Mall scheme, is a ₹200 crore initiative that promotes “One District, One Product.” It will serve as a national platform for artisans, local producers, and self-help groups to connect directly with consumers, facilitating cultural exchange and entrepreneurship.

Harvalem, known for its natural beauty, will now house an eco-tourism project that promotes sustainability through eco-trails, interpretation centres, and infrastructure built with minimal environmental impact. It reflects Goa’s ongoing commitment to regenerative tourism, preserving biodiversity while offering rich experiences for conscious travellers.

Speaking at the event, Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah praised the vision behind the projects, saying they strike the perfect balance between tourism development, cultural preservation, and ecological protection. CM Dr. Pramod Sawant reiterated that these initiatives represent Goa’s resolve to build world-class infrastructure that empowers both people and the economy.

Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte emphasized the state’s shift from season-dependent tourism to a year-round experiential model that connects visitors with Goa’s deeper identity. These projects, he noted, are a testament to Goa’s determination to create a tourism future that is inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive.

As foundation stones are laid today, a stronger, more diverse, and future-ready Goa begins to take shape.

Travel

Goa Honoured with ‘The Week’s Special Editorial Award’ for Promoting Tourism through Festivals

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Goa was conferred with the Special Editorial Award for ‘Promoting Tourism through Festivals’ by The Week. The recognition underscores the state’s commitment to promoting its vibrant cultural heritage and rich festival traditions as a cornerstone of its tourism strategy. Goa has long been celebrated for its beautiful beaches, but this award shines a light on the state’s efforts to go beyond its coastal appeal and establish itself as a dynamic cultural destination.

The award recognizes the role of festivals—spanning traditional, religious, and community-based events—in enriching the visitor experience and adding a unique dimension to Goa’s tourism offerings. From carnival parades to spiritual celebrations, Goa’s diverse cultural calendar has become an essential part of the state’s identity.

Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, expressed pride in the recognition, stating, “This award highlights the collective efforts of the Department of Tourism and the people of Goa in promoting Goa’s unique identity through its festivals.” His remarks emphasize the collaborative spirit between the government and the community in positioning Goa as a culturally rich and welcoming destination.

Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, also acknowledged the honour, saying, “We were deeply honoured that Goa was recognised by The Week for its commitment to promoting tourism through festivals. Our festivals reflected the diversity, unity, and cultural richness of the state. This recognition reinforced our vision of taking Goa beyond beaches. Such acknowledgements inspired us to continue creating avenues where culture and tourism work together for the benefit of our people and visitors alike.”

This recognition from The Week not only validates the innovative approach taken by Goa Tourism but also sets a precedent for other regions looking to integrate cultural preservation with sustainable tourism development. As Goa continues to evolve as a cultural hub, its festivals remain a powerful expression of its heritage and a meaningful way to connect with both residents and travellers from across the globe.

National

NITI Aayog & IAMAI Release Report on Transforming India’s Homestay Sector

Tanisha Cardozo

In a collaborative move to transform India’s tourism and hospitality landscape, NITI Aayog, in association with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), has released a forward-looking report titled “Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways.” The report was formally launched by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, in the presence of Shri Yugal Kishore Joshi, Programme Director at NITI Aayog, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, and tourism officials from Goa, Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. From Goa, Shri Vikas Kamble, Deputy Resident Commissioner, Goa Sadan, participated in the event.

The report lays out a strategic roadmap to unlock the full potential of the homestay and BnB sector in India. Emphasizing their value as more than just accommodation, the report positions homestays as enablers of culturally immersive travel experiences, economic empowerment for local communities, and sustainable development across regions. It advocates for policy approaches that are enabling rather than restrictive—calling for transparent, light-touch regulations that ensure safety and accountability while preserving the charm and individuality of local homes and communities.

This approach aligns with broader goals of inclusive growth, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, where homestays can generate employment, promote entrepreneurship, and create new revenue streams without large-scale infrastructure investments. The participation of key tourism states underscores a growing consensus that homestays are central to the next chapter of India’s tourism strategy—blending culture, community, and commerce.

By championing locally rooted experiences and fostering small-scale hospitality enterprises, the report envisions a future where India’s tourism is not just globally competitive but also deeply connected to its heritage and people.