Tag: Tourism Development

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🌉 Goa’s Zuari Bridge to Get Eiffel Tower-Inspired Observatory Towers with Panoramic Views, Restaurant & Art Gallery

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A Spectacular New Icon is Rising Over the Zuari River

NEW DELHI: Goa is set to gain a stunning new tourist landmark with the announcement of Eiffel Tower-inspired observatory towers atop the new Zuari Bridge. Designed to become a world-class attraction, the towers will offer breathtaking 360-degree views of Goa’s serene landscape, along with an array of features that promise to elevate the tourist experience in the state.

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, all necessary approvals for the project have been secured, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation stone at a ceremony this Friday.

🗼 An Engineering Marvel in the Making

The observatory towers will rise to a height of 125 meters, positioned between the main pylons of the iconic Zuari Bridge. The design takes inspiration from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, bringing an architectural marvel to India’s western coastline.

The towers will include:

  • 🌍 Panoramic Viewing Gallery
  • 🍽️ Revolving Restaurant with views over the Arabian Sea
  • 🖼️ Art Gallery showcasing Goan heritage and contemporary works
  • ☕ Cafeteria for refreshments
  • 🚡 Capsule Lifts for a smooth scenic ascent
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walkway Bridges on both sides of the marine section of the bridge
  • 🅿️ Parking facilities at both ends of the bridge

The shaft dimensions of each tower are 8.5 x 5.5 meters, and the upper floors will include spacious public areas for dining and sightseeing. The 7.5-meter-wide walkway bridges will allow seamless access across the marine portion, enhancing both utility and aesthetics.

🔧 Public-Private Partnership at Work

The ₹2,270 crore project will be developed and operated by a private concessionaire under a 50-year lease, ensuring zero financial burden on the government. The government will receive a share of revenue generated from operations, including ticketing, retail, and hospitality services.

This innovative public-private partnership not only enables world-class infrastructure development but also ensures long-term economic benefits and sustainable tourism growth for the region.

🇮🇳 A New Face for Goan Tourism

Goa has long been known for its beaches, heritage, and vibrant culture. The addition of this architectural landmark to the state’s touristic profile is expected to diversify its offerings, attracting both domestic and international visitors.

“This is not just an infrastructure upgrade – it’s a statement of India’s tourism vision, integrating engineering excellence with cultural experience,” the ministry stated.

🏗️ Project Timeline & Vision

  • 🛠️ Estimated Completion Time: 5 years
  • 📍 Location: Atop the New Zuari Bridge, Goa
  • 💰 Estimated Cost: ₹2,270 crore
  • 🤝 Model: PPP with revenue-sharing
  • 🏗️ Towers: Two, each 125 meters tall

As construction gets underway, Goa moves a step closer to becoming a hub for architectural tourism and cultural showcase—not just in India, but globally.

✨ A Bridge Between Past and Future

The Zuari Bridge observatory towers represent more than infrastructure — they symbolize India’s aspirations in tourism, technology, and innovation. With panoramic views, elevated dining, and immersive cultural spaces, this project aims to turn a transit point into a destination in itself.

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GTDC organises a one-day hospitality orientation and operations workshop at St. Regis Goa Resort

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Panaji, April 23, 2025 – The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), in collaboration with The St. Regis Goa Resort, Mobor, Cavelossim, Salcete, successfully conducted a one-day workshop on hospitality orientation and operations. Designed to offer an immersive experience in a hospitality setting, the workshop provided GTDC officials with valuable insights in hotel operations & customer services .

The workshop was inaugurated in the presence of Shri Satish Kumar, General Manager of the St. Regis Goa Resort, along with GTDC’s General Managers GTDC General Managers including Shri Gavin Dias (Hotels, Marketing); Shri Laxmikant Vaigankar (Administration); Shri Kapil Paiguinkar (Finance); and Shri Sachin Gore (Engineering), Shri Deepak Narvekar, Dy General Manager ( Hotels/ Mktg), Shri Sandeep Gawas, Dy. General Manager (Admin) and other officials of GTDC and St Regis. The initiative focused on enhancing the soft skills, communication abilities, and operational knowledge of the Senior GTDC personnel.

Resource persons from The St. Regis led interactive sessions covering guest service excellence, internal hotel operations, and soft skills training. A dedicated interaction session facilitated the exchange of ideas between the resort’s resource team and GTDC officials. As part of the programme, participants were taken on a guided tour of the resort, exploring key areas such as the lagoons, cocktail mixing station, hotel lobby, beach access from the hotel, and the ‘heart of the hotel’ operations wing and other important sections.

To honour the participants, certificates along with traditional Kunbi shawls, sarees, jackets, and Hotel Gift were presented by Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman of GTDC and Shri Satish Kumar, General Manager of the St. Regis Goa Resort.

Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman of GTDC, was present at the certificate distribution ceremony. In his address, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity extended to GTDC staff to engage with one of Goa’s premier luxury resorts. He emphasised that the experience and knowledge gained would contribute significantly to enhancing the quality of services offered by GTDC and tourism related services. Dr. Gaonkar also acknowledged the support and cooperation of The St. Regis team in organising the workshop.

Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director, GTDC stated, “Workshops like these help our teams learn from the best in the industry and adopt proven practices that enhance our service and operational standards. Through such initiatives, we aim to equip our teams with the skills, mindset, and exposure needed to deliver exceptional experiences across our tourism infrastructure.

Shri Satish Kumar, General Manager of The St. Regis Goa Resort, reaffirmed the resort’s unwavering commitment to partnering with Goa Tourism in elevating the state’s position as a world-class destination. He emphasized the resort’s relentless focus on excellence and its role in setting benchmarks in luxury hospitality. Amidst evolving industry narratives, he proudly highlighted that The St. Regis Goa continues to achieve robust occupancy levels and exceptional guest satisfaction—testament to the trust and loyalty of its discerning guests.

Shri Gavin Dias, General Manager and Shri Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager, also spoke on the occasion. Dorin Mascarenhas, Manager – Human Resources at The St. Regis Goa Resort also extended the help during the workshop.

30 senior officials of GTDC ranging from General Managers to Manager of the Residencies participated in the workshop.

This workshop marks a significant step towards knowledge exchange and skill development in Goa’s tourism and hospitality sector, reflecting a shared commitment to service excellence and professional growth.

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GTDC celebrates 43 years of excellence on Corporation Day

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: The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) marked its 43rd Corporation Day commemorating over four decades of dedicated service towards enhancing tourism in Goa.

The event was graced by Shri Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman of GTDC and MLA of Sanvordem Constituency; Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director of GTDC; Shri Gavin Dias, General Manager (Hotels & Marketing), GTDC; Shri Laxmikant Vaigankar, General Manager (Admin) and President of the Staff Welfare Association, GTDC; Shri Kapil Paiguinkar, General Manager (Finance), GTDC; and Shri Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager (Marketing) and Secretary of the Staff Welfare Association. Several other office bearers and staff members were also present to mark the occasion.

The celebration commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing prosperity and progress. The dignitaries on the dais were welcomed with plant saplings, reinforcing GTDC’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

All 10 GTDC residencies were recognized by presenting Awards Trophies to respective Managers and Staff for their commendable service and achievements. Additionally, members of the Staff Welfare Association were presented with mementos as a token of appreciation for their dedication at the hands of Chairman and Managing Director.

While addressing the gathering Chairman, GTDC, Shri Ganesh Gaonkar stated, “The outstanding performance of our residencies has played a key role in our growth, enabling us to contribute dividends to the government. I urge all teams to maintain their high standards and continue their exceptional efforts.”

Managing Director, GTDC, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar appreciated the staff for their dedication, stating, “Our team’s hard work and dedication have been pivotal in GTDC’s achievements. I encourage everyone to continue working with the same enthusiasm and dedication.”

The celebration also included a variety of engaging games and activities, with spot prizes awarded to participants. The winners of the Paithani competition were felicitated with prizes presented by the Chairman, adding to the vibrant spirit of the occasion.

Shri Gavin Dias, General Manager (Hotels & Marketing) shared his thoughts, emphasizing the Corporation’s ongoing initiatives to elevate tourism experiences in Goa.

Deepak Narvekar Dy, General Manager Mktg, GTDC and Secretary, Staff Welfare Association highlighted various programs and initiatives of GTDC and the achievements made by GTDC during recent years with support of Chairman & Managing Director.

Shri Laxmikant Vaigankar, General Manager (Admin) and President of the Staff Welfare Association, GTDC welcomed the gathering and acknowledged the efforts of the GTDC team. Treasurer of Staff Welfare Association, Smt. Amita Desai, Member Smt. Deepa Sawjar, and Shri Vinay Majik also assisted to make the event a success.

During the event, members of the Staff Welfare Association felicitated Shri Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman, GTDC and Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director, GTDC for their leadership and contributions.

The Corporation Day celebration concluded on a positive note, reflecting GTDC’s ongoing commitment to excellence and its dedication to positioning Goa as a premier travel destination.