Tag: Kedar Naik

Travel

GTDC Announces Special Tour for Tripurari Poornima Boat Festival 2025 at Sankhali

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), in collaboration with the Departments of Tourism, Art and Culture, and Information and Publicity, has announced a Special Tour for the Tripurari Poornima Boat Festival, which will take place on Wednesday, 5th November 2025, at Vithalapur, Sankhali.

Celebrated under the full moon, Tripurari Poornima is one of Goa’s most captivating festivals, blending spirituality, creativity, and tradition. The highlight of the event is the magnificent boat show on the River Valvanti, where intricately decorated miniature boats are released, symbolizing devotion and community celebration. The festival attracts locals and visitors who come together to experience the beauty of Goa’s cultural and spiritual diversity.

Speaking about the event, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, emphasized that Tripurari Poornima embodies the spirit of Regenerative Tourism, where each visitor contributes to preserving Goa’s traditions while enjoying an authentic experience. He invited both locals and travellers to join the celebration and witness Goa’s living cultural legacy.

Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, described the festival as a perfect representation of spirituality and community creativity, while GTDC Managing Director, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, reaffirmed GTDC’s commitment to curating meaningful tourism experiences that support local engagement and sustainability.

To facilitate easy access, GTDC has organized a special coach tour from Panaji and Mapusa residencies, departing at 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM, respectively, and returning from Sankhali at approximately 1:00 AM. Tickets are priced at ₹150 for adults and ₹50 for children (6–12 years). Guests staying at GTDC residencies in Panaji, Mapusa, Miramar, and Calangute who book the tour will also receive a 10% discount on room rates.

The initiative aims to encourage participation, promote local culture, and offer a comfortable, eco-friendly travel experience for visitors and residents alike.

GTDC invites everyone to experience the magic of Goa’s moonlit waters, vibrant traditions, and festive spirit at the Tripurari Poornima Boat Festival 2025.

Events in Goa

Goa Deepotsav 2025 Lights Up Porvorim, Saligao, and Mapusa with Cultural Splendour

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, successfully hosted Goa Deepotsav 2025, a two-day celebration that illuminated Porvorim, Saligao, and Mapusa with festive cheer, music, and cultural splendour. The event brought together Goans from all walks of life to celebrate Diwali through art, tradition, and togetherness, reflecting the essence of Goa’s cultural unity.

The first-ever edition of Deepotsav in Mapusa, held at the Mapusa Taxi Stand Ground, witnessed vibrant community participation and an impressive turnout. The event featured engaging contests such as the All Goa Akash Kandil Competition, cooking and fugdi contests, and an energetic cultural showcase. The evening highlight, Rhythm of Lights, mesmerized audiences with performances that beautifully portrayed Goa’s cultural diversity.

Among the dignitaries present were Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker & MLA, Mapusa, Shri Joshua De Souza, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council Smt Priya Mishal, Deputy Director of Tourism Shri Dhiraj Vagle, Dy. General Manager (Marketing/Hotels), GTDC, Shri Deepak Narvekar, Asst. Director of Tourism Shri Jayesh Kankonkar, councillors, and former councillors.

In his address, Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted that the Goa Beyond Beaches initiative, launched in 2022, aims to take tourism to the heart of local communities while empowering women and youth through cultural participation. He announced that Deepotsav will be celebrated annually in Mapusa to showcase Goa’s cultural richness and festive unity.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik expressed his appreciation for the overwhelming response to Deepotsav 2025, noting that the festival embodied Goa’s true spirit of joy, inclusivity, and creativity.

The celebrations began on October 25 at Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Hall, Porvorim, with workshops and competitions in clay modelling, drawing, cooking, fugdi, and traditional costume contests, concluding with the soulful performance Sur Taal. On October 26, the festivities continued at Saligao Panchayat Area with rangoli, cooking, and Veshbhusha Spardha contests, and culminated with Suron Kee Deepawali, a musical tribute to the festival of lights.

With Goa Deepotsav 2025, the Department of Tourism reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cultural tourism, local participation, and sustainable community engagement. The festival stood as a radiant symbol of Goa’s heritage, uniting communities under the glow of countless diyas.

Travel

Goa’s Homestay and B&B Scheme Sets a National Benchmark, Inspires Delhi’s Revival of B&B Model

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa’s Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme, implemented by the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, has become a national benchmark in community-based tourism — inspiring states like Delhi to adopt similar frameworks. The scheme’s success lies in its holistic approach that blends financial incentives, simplified registration, and quality standards to strengthen local entrepreneurship and promote authentic travel experiences.

Designed to create meaningful engagement between visitors and local communities, the initiative encourages travellers to explore Goa’s hinterlands while generating sustainable livelihoods for residents. Eligible homestays and B&B operators receive a one-time grant of ₹2 lakh, along with marketing support through official Goa Tourism channels, and access to training programmes aimed at improving service quality and sustainability practices.

The scheme classifies participating establishments under Gold and Silver categories, offering benefits such as residential tariff rates for utilities, ease of licensing, and inclusion in state tourism promotions. It also emphasises empowering women and youth entrepreneurs, ensuring that the growth of tourism extends beyond the coastal belt into rural areas rich with culture and tradition.

Recognising the impact of Goa’s approach, the Delhi government has recently announced plans to revive its long-dormant Bed & Breakfast Scheme using Goa’s model as a reference. This move highlights Goa’s growing leadership in shaping sustainable and inclusive tourism policies at the national level.

Speaking on the development, Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte remarked, “Goa’s Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme has been designed to empower Goans while creating meaningful experiences for travellers. The fact that other states are now adopting our model reaffirms our commitment to building a regenerative and community-led tourism framework.”

Echoing this sentiment, Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, stated, “This initiative makes it easier for Goans to host visitors, earn additional income, and share our culture. By offering financial support, training, and simplified registration, the policy ensures that tourism growth benefits every section of society.”

With its emphasis on authentic stays, local engagement, and responsible development, Goa continues to lead India’s tourism transformation — setting a standard that other states are eager to emulate.

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

Goa Gears Up for a Memorable Year-End with ‘Feels Like Goa’ Campaign

allycaralgoa

Panaji, 10th October 2025: As the festive season draws near, Goa is set to welcome visitors with its new year-end campaign — “Feels Like Goa”, a heartfelt celebration of the state’s timeless charm, cultural richness, spiritual essence, and festive spirit.

Designed by the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, the campaign aims to evoke nostalgia and rekindle the emotional connection travelers share with Goa — reminding the world that Goa is not merely a destination, but a feeling.

Speaking about the campaign, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, said:

“Goa has always held a special place in the hearts of travelers across the world. With ‘Feels Like Goa’, we are bringing back the essence of what makes Goa truly unique — its people, culture, and soul. This campaign is a tribute to timeless memories and an invitation to experience Goa with the same emotion and warmth as always.”

Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, added:

“We are committed to regenerative tourism — creating meaningful experiences that benefit both travelers and local communities. This campaign revives travel sentiment and supports local businesses while preserving the essence of Goa.”

The Department’s vision for Goa’s tourism future is rooted in sustainability and inclusivity. Alongside the campaign, Goa has laid the foundation for Unity Mall, Porvorim Town Square, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum — key projects that diversify travel experiences beyond beaches and nightlife.

Through “Feels Like Goa”, the government aims to position the state as a multi-dimensional destination — one where every sunset, festival, and smile carries a story.

As 2025 draws to a close, Goa invites the world to come home to its heart — to feel its rhythm, warmth, and joy once again.