Tag: Indian Tourism

Travel

Goa Sees Near-Full Hotel Occupancy as New Year Begins on a High Tourism Note

allycaralgoa

Panjim | January 29, 2026

Written by Alisha Fernandes || Allycaral

Goa has ushered in the New Year on a robust tourism footing, with hotels across the State reporting near-full to full occupancy, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most preferred travel destinations. The strong performance during the New Year period highlights sustained demand and sets a positive tone for the tourism sector in the months ahead.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, said the encouraging figures reflect the success of the State’s focused and long-term tourism strategy.
“The strong hotel occupancy witnessed at the start of the New Year reflects the success of our focused approach towards quality tourism. Our emphasis has been on diversifying tourism experiences, improving infrastructure, and promoting responsible and regenerative tourism practices. This growth is not just about numbers, but about creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities while ensuring long-term sustainability of the destination,” he stated.

The impressive occupancy levels are attributed to consistent efforts aimed at enhancing destination readiness, improving connectivity, and positioning Goa as a year-round tourism destination. Visitors arriving during the New Year period showed growing interest beyond the beaches, exploring cultural, wellness, spiritual, and hinterland tourism experiences — leading to a more balanced tourism footprint across the State.

Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, noted that the New Year response validates the evolving direction of Goa’s tourism ecosystem.
“The encouraging occupancy levels are a direct outcome of strategic planning, destination preparedness, and continuous engagement with stakeholders. Goa’s tourism ecosystem is evolving with a focus on experiences beyond the beaches, and the New Year response clearly validates this direction,” he said.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the strong start to the year, observing increased confidence among travellers and tour operators. The surge in arrivals has also generated a positive ripple effect across allied sectors including transport services, restaurants, homestays, and local businesses, strengthening the overall tourism economy.

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jack Sukhija, President, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), said, “The New Year has commenced on an extremely positive note for Goa’s tourism sector, with hotel occupancies touching very high levels across categories. This clearly indicates sustained demand and renewed confidence among travellers.”

With the Department of Tourism continuing to work closely with industry partners to ensure safe, seamless, and high-quality visitor experiences, Goa’s tourism sector appears well-positioned for steady, inclusive, and sustainable growth in 2026.

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.

Travel

Goa Showcases Regenerative Tourism at ITB Asia 2025, Positions Itself as ‘Gateway to All Possibilities’

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa made a strong international impression at ITB Asia 2025, positioning itself as the “Gateway to All Possibilities” through an immersive presentation of its regenerative tourism model and a wide array of authentic, sustainable, and premium tourism experiences. The Goa pavilion was inaugurated by Dr. Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to Singapore, in the presence of senior officials from the Department of Tourism and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC).

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte emphasized Goa’s leadership in being the first Indian state to adopt Regenerative Tourism — a framework that ensures tourism development strengthens local communities, protects ecosystems, and preserves cultural identity. Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, reinforced Goa’s commitment to positioning itself as a year-round, globally preferred destination across leisure, wellness, adventure, and MICE tourism.

Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, MD of GTDC, delivered a compelling presentation highlighting Goa’s strategic strengths: 10.4 million tourist arrivals in 2024, including nearly half a million international visitors; a 16.4% contribution to the state’s GDP from tourism; and support to over 35% of the local workforce. Goa’s connectivity — including two international airports, robust rail and highway networks, and advanced cruise terminals — was showcased as a key enabler for inbound growth.

The Goa delegation interacted with stakeholders from key tourism markets including Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, the USA, Spain, Mauritius, Dubai, and Taiwan, initiating collaborations to drive inbound tourism and boost Goa’s global profile. Exhibiting partners like Concord Exotic Voyages and Minar Travels Goa also showcased curated premium travel experiences and itineraries.

Goa’s eco-tourism offerings took center stage, with focused promotions on nature-based experiences such as Bondla Zoo, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhsagar Waterfall, and eco-stays like Silvan Cottages. These initiatives are part of a broader push to highlight Goa’s lesser-explored hinterlands, diversify tourist interest beyond beaches, and encourage responsible tourism.

Visitors at the pavilion explored Goa’s diverse tourism layers: regulated water sports, bungee jumping, kayaking, caravan tourism, homestays, agro-tourism, vibrant festivals like Carnival and Shigmo, Ayurveda retreats, yoga hubs, culinary richness, flea markets, and arts festivals like IFFI and Serendipity.

Goa’s regenerative tourism vision is about crafting experiences that are immersive and inclusive while ensuring that tourism becomes a force for good. By balancing economic growth with environmental protection and cultural preservation, Goa is shaping a future-forward, resilient tourism model.

Its participation at ITB Asia 2025 reaffirms its commitment to global engagement, destination transformation, and creating a tourism ecosystem where every journey nurtures the destination’s soul — making Goa not just a place to visit, but a way to travel.

Travel

Goa Tourism Moves to Regulate and Standardize Water Sports Operations

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa Tourism has taken a major step forward in regulating and streamlining water sports operations across the State. At a high-level meeting held in Panjim on October 10, 2025, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte engaged with key stakeholders including the Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik, Deputy Director Smt Diksha Tari, Captain of Ports Shri Octavio Rodrigues, and representatives of the Water Sports Association of Goa to discuss a cohesive plan for the upcoming tourism season.

The meeting primarily addressed long-standing concerns around lack of standardization in pricing, the need for clearly branded kiosks, and the pressing issue of illegal water sports operations. The Department of Tourism has committed to introducing a uniform rate structure that will apply across all Goan beaches, bringing in much-needed transparency and consistency for tourists and operators alike.

Hon’ble Minister Rohan Khaunte emphasized that water sports are a major draw for visitors and it is essential to offer them a safe, fair, and high-quality experience. He also assured the traditional Goan operators that their legacy and contributions to the industry will be safeguarded, positioning them as key partners in the effort to elevate Goa’s tourism standards.

The Minister also highlighted plans for a forthcoming joint meeting that will include coastal MLAs, enforcement agencies, and other relevant departments to build consensus and implement stringent measures against unauthorized ticketing and unlicensed operations that disrupt the integrity of the tourism sector.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik echoed the importance of enforcement and inter-departmental coordination. He noted that uniform kiosk branding and regulated pricing will not only improve service quality but also enhance the image of Goa as a premium coastal destination. He reassured registered operators of the Department’s continued support in protecting their interests and ensuring fair competition.

The Water Sports Association of Goa welcomed the initiative and thanked the Department for its proactive approach. The Association noted that a regulated rate structure would protect operators from being undercut by illegal players and would also ensure that tourists are not misled or overcharged by unauthorized agents.

In conclusion, the Department confirmed that once the uniform rate structure is gazetted, operations will resume across major beaches in a more regulated and transparent fashion. Coordination with the Captain of Ports will be strengthened to ensure that only licensed operators are permitted to conduct activities.

This initiative marks a significant stride in improving the standards of coastal tourism in Goa. By enforcing discipline and supporting genuine operators, the Government is working to ensure that visitors to Goa enjoy safe, memorable, and trustworthy experiences — further reinforcing the State’s reputation as India’s premier beach tourism destination.

Travel

Tourism Department Honours Lifesavers After Mobor Rescue — 27 Lives Saved

Tanisha Cardozo

In a remarkable display of courage and community spirit, 27 fishermen were rescued from a drifting trawler near Mobor beach in Goa, thanks to the timely action of Drishti lifesavers and local fishermen. The incident occurred late on the night of September 27, 2025, when a local resident raised the alarm about a fishing trawler drifting dangerously close to a rocky river mouth.

Despite the darkness and challenging weather conditions, off-duty lifesavers from Drishti immediately began tracking the vessel’s movement through the night. By early morning, a full-scale coordinated rescue operation was launched, involving backup teams, jetskis, and support from local fishermen. Their combined efforts ensured that all 27 fishermen were brought safely ashore, preventing what could have been a major maritime tragedy.

In recognition of this extraordinary act of bravery, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, felicitated the lifesavers and fishermen at Paryatan Bhavan in Panaji. Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, and Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, were present at the ceremony, where they praised the bravery, preparedness, and swift action of those involved.

Minister Khaunte highlighted that such acts exemplify Goa’s unique spirit of service and community, reaffirming the state’s commitment to coastal safety. Director Kedar Naik commended the professionalism and teamwork that made the rescue possible, thanking each individual who played a role in the operation.

Special acknowledgment was given to lifesavers Shri Lovu Gaonkar, Shri Samir Gaonkar, Shri Satish Gaonkar, Shri Punu Velip, Shri Shashikant Jadhav, Shri Pankaj Bhute, Shri Meghraj Juvatkar, Shri Sunil Velip, and Shri Vishal Velip. Their courage and quick response were instrumental in ensuring the successful outcome of the mission.

CEO of Drishti Lifesaving, Shri Navin Awasthi, praised the team, stating that the incident reflects the training and commitment of lifesavers to protect lives at all hours. He also thanked the beach police and local fishermen for their support in executing the operation seamlessly.

The Department of Tourism extends heartfelt gratitude to all involved and reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of locals and visitors along Goa’s coastline.