Tag: Tourism Industry

Travel

Goa Tourism Unveils Regenerative Vision at SATTE 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa Tourism marked a significant presence at SATTE 2026, one of South Asia’s leading travel trade exhibitions, held at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, whose visit to the Goa pavilion added prominence to the State’s participation.

During his visit, the Minister interacted with the official Goa delegation, gaining insights into the State’s evolving tourism roadmap. The delegation highlighted Goa’s strategic focus on regenerative tourism, an approach that goes beyond sustainability by actively restoring and enhancing local ecosystems, communities and economies. This progressive vision positions Goa as a leader in responsible tourism practices in India.

The Goa pavilion emerged as a major attraction on Day 1, witnessing a steady flow of visitors, including domestic and international travel trade representatives. Delegates showed keen interest in the State’s diversified tourism offerings, ranging from its iconic coastal experiences to its lesser-explored hinterland circuits. The display presented a comprehensive picture of Goa as a year-round destination, moving beyond its traditional beach-centric identity.

A key highlight of the showcase was the emphasis on regenerative tourism as a guiding principle for future growth. Anchored in the pillars of people, environment and economy, this approach resonated strongly with stakeholders seeking meaningful and sustainable travel models. The concept drew attention from buyers and partners looking to align with destinations that prioritise long-term impact over short-term gains.

The pavilion also promoted the “Live the Feeling” campaign, inviting travellers to experience Goa in a more immersive and authentic way. The campaign encourages visitors to engage with local culture, traditions and communities, thereby enriching their travel experience while contributing positively to the destination.

Officials noted strong engagement and productive discussions with industry stakeholders, particularly around experiential tourism, infrastructure development and enhanced visitor facilities. SATTE continues to serve as a crucial platform for Goa to expand its reach, strengthen partnerships and reinforce its position in both domestic and international markets.

Goa’s dynamic participation at SATTE 2026 reflects its continued commitment to innovation in tourism and its ambition to redefine how destinations are experienced. By embracing regenerative principles and showcasing a holistic tourism portfolio, the State is setting a forward-looking benchmark for the industry while reinforcing its appeal to the modern, conscious traveller.

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Goa Tourism Showcases Regenerative Vision at SATTE 2026 in New Delhi

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, is set to participate in the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2026, which will be held from February 25 to 27 at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre) in New Delhi. Recognised as one of South Asia’s most prominent travel and tourism exhibitions, SATTE brings together destinations, travel professionals, hospitality brands, and key stakeholders from across the global tourism ecosystem, creating opportunities for collaboration, networking, and business growth.

Goa Tourism will showcase its diverse and evolving portfolio at Stall No. A-62, engaging with industry stakeholders and partners over the three-day event. The State’s participation is centred on reinforcing its identity as a year-round destination driven by quality, sustainability, and regenerative tourism practices. Visitors to the Goa pavilion will experience a curated mix of offerings, including spiritual circuits such as Ekadasha Teertha, hinterland and village tourism, homestays, wellness retreats, adventure activities, heritage trails, monsoon experiences, and vibrant cultural festivals that highlight Goa’s rich and living traditions.

The delegation will actively participate in business-to-business meetings with domestic and international tour operators, travel agents, destination management companies, hospitality partners, and aviation stakeholders. These engagements aim to strengthen strategic alliances, enhance market visibility, and promote responsible tourism practices while attracting travellers seeking deeper, more meaningful, and immersive experiences.

Tourism Minister Shri Rohan Ashok Khaunte emphasised that Goa’s presence at SATTE 2026 aligns with the State’s broader vision of becoming a regenerative and future-ready tourism destination. He highlighted that the focus remains on empowering local communities, preserving cultural identity, and encouraging responsible travel while leveraging global platforms to build impactful partnerships.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik noted that SATTE continues to serve as a significant forum for engaging with stakeholders across the travel and tourism sector. He added that this year’s showcase will focus on curated experiences that reflect Goa’s evolving tourism narrative and its shift towards sustainability and innovation.

Through its participation, the Department of Tourism aims to further strengthen Goa’s brand presence in key domestic and international markets while placing sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation at the core of its tourism strategy. The State looks forward to meaningful engagements and collaborations that will support its continued growth as one of the world’s most preferred travel destinations.

Travel

Goa Tourism Strengthens Industry Ties at Travel Agents Meet 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Panjim, 14th February 2026 – The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), a Government of Goa undertaking, organised the Travel Agents Meet 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from the travel and tourism industry to strengthen collaboration and align strategies for promoting Goa as a diverse, experience-led destination. The meet witnessed participation from 55 travel agents, online travel agencies and NTS operators, along with other members of the travel trade in Goa.

The dignitaries present included Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte; Chairman, GTDC Kedar Naik; Managing Director, GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar; General Managers Gavin Dias, Sachin Gore, Laxmikant Vaigankar and Kapil Paiguinkar, and Deputy General Manager Deepak Narvekar.

Speaking on the occasion, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte emphasised the importance of collaboration with the travel trade in shaping Goa’s tourism growth story. He stated that travel agents remain long-term partners in promoting Goa beyond its beaches and positioning the state as a holistic, experience-rich destination. He highlighted that the focus remains on balanced tourism growth that benefits local communities, strengthens livelihoods and enhances visitor satisfaction.

Chairman, GTDC Kedar Naik underlined the pivotal role of travel agents as the first point of contact for travellers. He noted that the confidence with which visitors choose Goa is closely linked to the trust they place in travel professionals. He further reiterated that GTDC’s responsibility goes beyond infrastructure and services, extending to creating an ecosystem where tourism supports livelihoods, preserves culture and ensures inclusive growth.

Managing Director, GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar described the Travel Agents Meet as an important platform to align tourism products and services with evolving market needs. He stated that through continued engagement with the travel trade, GTDC aims to strengthen global promotion of Goa Tourism hotels, new tourism services and destination experiences while remaining responsive to changing traveller expectations.

As part of the programme, seven prominent tour operators were felicitated, including representatives of the Tour Operators Association of India, Goa-based online travel agents and NTS operators, in recognition of their contribution to promoting Goa as a preferred destination. Deputy General Manager (Marketing) Deepak Narvekar announced the names of the stakeholders during the felicitation ceremony in the presence of the Minister for Tourism and other dignitaries.

A detailed presentation on GTDC hotels and new tourism and adventure activities was delivered by General Manager Gavin Dias along with Senior Managers Vishesh Naik and Pravin Faldessai. Video films showcasing Goa Tourism, wildlife experiences, AVI Tourism and festivals were screened during the meet, offering attendees a broader perspective on the state’s evolving tourism landscape.

The event also facilitated an interactive exchange between GTDC officials and members of the travel trade on emerging markets, evolving traveller preferences and collaborative promotion opportunities. Goa Tourism’s hotels, new services and curated destination experiences were highlighted with a strong emphasis on strengthening global visibility through strategic trade partnerships.

The Travel Agents Meet 2026 served as a meaningful platform for dialogue, exchange of perspectives and deeper collaboration between Goa Tourism and the travel trade. The engagement reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders to position Goa as a preferred destination offering authentic, responsible and high-quality tourism experiences.

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Goa records robust 21 percent growth in tourism, sets new milestones in 2024

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Panaji, January 15, 2025 – The Department of Tourism, Goa, organized a comprehensive day-long conclave for tourism stakeholders. Chaired by the Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Shri Rohan Khaunte, and Director of Tourism, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, the event aimed to counter misinformation about tourist footfall figures and reaffirm Goa’s position as a premier tourism destination.

The conclave brought together key stakeholders from diverse sectors, including cruise tourism, airport operations, charter flights, beach tourism, transport, and accommodation. Members of the Goa Tourism Board including Mark Mendes, Ernest Dias, Carlos de Sousa; TTAG President Jack Sukhija, and other industry representatives discussed strategies to enhance Goa’s tourism experience and ensure sustainable growth.

Addressing the media after the stakeholders conclave, Shri. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director of Tourism stated that the state saw a notable 21% growth which promises a very positive and promising trend of tourism in Goa, with a substantial 54% increase in tourists visiting in December 2024 compared to the same month in 2023. The quarterly growth from October to December stood at 38%. While domestic tourist numbers increased by 22%, foreign tourist numbers grew by 3%.” These provisional figures show that there is strong growth in terms of numbers.

Director Suneel Anchipaka IAS further said that the data has been compiled from credible sources, including airport arrivals, Konkan Railways, and the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) and other transport operators. These statistics unequivocally indicate a robust growth in Goa’s tourism sector, reaffirming its position as a preferred destination.

The director further stated that Dabolim Airport saw a significant surge in passenger traffic, with a remarkable 27% growth in December 2024 compared to the same month in 2023. He said that the government is focusing on quality over quantity and that the hotel occupancy remained highest this season which shows that high-end tourists are preferring Goa.

Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Rohan Khaunte stated “In the year 2023, Goa received 81,75,460 domestic tourists and 4,52,702 international tourists, totalling 86,28,162 visitors. Whereas in the year 2024, provisional figures show that Goa welcomed 99,41,285 domestic tourists and around 4,67,911 international tourists, bringing the total to 1,04,09,196 visitors.”

The Minister highlighted that during the last week of December 2024, Goa saw a record 200 flights arriving daily. Despite the broader Asia tourism sector facing a -18% growth rate post-COVID-19, Goa’s 3% growth in foreign tourist arrivals signifies the state’s resilience and adaptability.

The Tourism Minister also addressed the recent criticism from social media influencers, attributing it to unverified data released by the China Economic Information Centre. He expressed that Goa is performing much better than the national average; has got a great resilience in adaptability in the competitive tourism landscape and as a year to year-round destination we are also looking at increasing off season business.

The Minister acknowledged challenges such as overtourism, particularly at popular beaches like Baga and Calangute, which have faced overcrowding, waste management issues, and occasional conflicts between locals and tourists. These challenges, along with the impact of budget tourism, require a focused and proactive approach to maintain Goa’s infrastructure and reputation.

To enhance the overall tourist experience, the government is adopting technology across various services. Platforms such as Goa Miles and the Goa Taxi app are integral to improving transport services. The Minister assured that concerns related to taxi operations are being actively addressed through technology-driven solutions. Additionally, efforts are being made to educate visitors about Goa’s cultural values, traditions, and boundaries, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation among tourists.

Responding to concerns about a perceived decline in tourism, the Minister emphasized that several hotels achieved near 100% occupancy this year, accompanied by impressive Average Room Rates (AAR). He further noted that, under the Ease of Doing Business initiative, the number of registered hotels in the state has increased from approximately 3,000 in 2022 to nearly 9,000 in 2024 across various categories, ensuring visitors have a broader range of accommodation options, including homestays.

The minister further stated that issues raised during the stakeholder meeting will be taken up at the upcoming Goa Tourism Board meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Shri Pramod Sawant. An actionable plan will be formulated in collaboration with the Chief Secretary and other officials and presented to the Chief Minister for implementation.

“We strongly believe in the ethos of Atithi Devo Bhava, where every guest is treated with utmost respect and hospitality. Our commitment is to uphold this principle while ensuring Goa remains a premier destination that offers unique experiences, vibrant culture, and world-class services,” the Minister concluded.