Tag: Travel

Travel

Aguad Port and Jail Complex to Represent Goa at Asia’s Largest Travel Mart, OTM 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

One of Goa’s most iconic heritage spaces, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex, is set to make its presence felt at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026, to be held from February 5 to 7 at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre. Representing Goa on one of Asia’s largest travel trade platforms, Aguad will showcase the state’s rich cultural history and evolving tourism experiences to a global audience.

OTM is regarded as one of the leading international travel trade exhibitions, focusing on the travel, tourism, hospitality and MICE industries. The event brings together travel brands, destinations, tour operators, buyers and industry professionals from across the world. With around 2,200 exhibitors from over 60 countries, the exhibition is expected to welcome more than 50,000 visitors over the three-day event.

At OTM 2026, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex aims to highlight the diverse experiences offered at the site. These include immersive heritage walks that narrate the complex’s role as a strategic defence structure and as a prison that once housed freedom fighters. By blending historical narratives with curated visitor engagement, Aguad positions itself as a space where Goa’s layered past meets contemporary cultural tourism.

Experiences such as heritage cruises and boat transfers will also be showcased, offering visitors panoramic views of Goa’s coastline, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex, and the surrounding Aguada Bay as vessels glide through the Arabian Sea. These offerings are being positioned as complete experiences that combine scenic beauty, history and leisure.

Speaking about the participation, Savio Mathias, Vice President – Operations and Business Development, Aguad Port and Jail Complex, said that Aguad is more than just a historic landmark and represents a space where Goa’s history comes alive through thoughtfully curated visitor experiences. He noted that OTM provides an ideal platform to present Aguad as a key destination in Goa, with potential for cultural tourism, events and immersive programming, while also fostering collaborations that promote responsible tourism and enhance visitor engagement.

With its participation at OTM 2026, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex continues to strengthen its position as a significant cultural destination, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Goa beyond its beaches through history, heritage and meaningful storytelling.

Travel

MakeMyTrip Introduces Women-Centric Safety and Assurance Signalsin Stayand Bus Bookings

Tanisha Cardozo

MakeMyTrip, India’s leading online travel company, has introduced women-centric safety and assurance signals across accommodation and intercity bus bookings, leveraging artificial intelligence, user-generated content, and partner data to enable more confident travel planning for women.

Insights from platform behaviour indicate that women travellers adopt a more deliberate approach while planning trips. They spend more time reviewing ratings, exploring maps and street views, and examining guest-uploaded photos before confirming bookings. Booking data further reveals that women book 50 percent more stays at least 15 days in advance and show a 16 percent higher preference for premium and branded properties compared to men. This preference becomes more prominent as women travellers move from Tier 1 to Tier 3 cities, where branded accommodations often serve as a key signal of assurance.

Based on these insights, MakeMyTrip now surfaces safety-related cues more prominently when a woman is detected to be planning a stay. Ratings submitted by women are highlighted, while AI-led summaries bring attention to factors such as staff behaviour and location safety during the search process. Women-specific amenity indicators including CCTV, door eye, door chains, and full-length mirrors are also displayed more clearly. Travellers can additionally use the Street View feature to visually assess the surroundings and approach to a property before making a booking decision.

A similar approach has been applied to intercity bus bookings. AI identifies reviews from women-only journeys and filters them based on parameters such as safety, punctuality, and cleanliness, assigning sentiment tags for quicker assessment. For added assurance, when a woman books one side of a double berth, the adjacent berth is automatically restricted to female passengers, reducing mixed proximity—particularly during overnight or long-distance travel.

Commenting on the initiative, Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, said that women travellers already demonstrate careful and thoughtful planning behaviour. By leveraging rich data and AI, the company aims to simplify this process and enable more informed decision-making.

The initiative is supported by two foundational layers—AI-driven insights drawn from millions of user reviews and behavioural signals, and structured partner data spanning nearly 97,000 accommodation properties and over 3,500 intercity bus operators. Together, these efforts aim to make travel planning clearer, safer, and more reassuring for women across the country.

Events in Goa

First-Ever Zaddachem Fest Brings Pilar Together in a Celebration of Unity and Culture

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

History was created in Pilar on Republic Day 2026 as Clube Marius Festacar hosted the first-ever Zaddachem Fest (Festival of Trees) at the Milroc Colina complex. Curated by renowned linguist and cultural curator Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas, the festival brought together Goans and visitors from across India and beyond for a day rooted in heritage, nature, music, food, and community bonding.

Deeply anchored in Goan values of ekvott (unity) and inclusivity, Zaddachem Fest stood out as a people-centric celebration. With no sponsors or chief guests, the festival ensured that the spotlight remained firmly on collective participation, shared heritage, and community spirit.

The day began with a heritage and nature walk led by Dr. Suresh Kunkalikar, Dean of the Goa College of Agriculture, along with noted horticulturist Miguel Braganza. Participants were introduced to medicinal plants and herbs growing within the complex, highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge and biodiversity. This was followed by a Kadha workshop conducted by Dr. Ornelas, where she demonstrated traditional herbal brewing methods and explained the health benefits of local remedies used for colds and coughs.

Cultural performances added warmth and vibrancy to the festival, with music by the Barreto Brothers, the D’sa family, Russell Barreto, and Linda Diniz Braganza. A highlight of the day was the flagship coconut shell dance led by Dr. Ornelas, which drew enthusiastic participation and applause from the gathering.

Senior journalist Prakash Kamat hosted an engaging Bolcaoancheo Gozalli, joined by coordinator Avelino D’sa and resource persons Sabina De Cunha, Rama Parsekar, and Rosita Heredia. The session encouraged meaningful conversations, storytelling, and intergenerational exchange.

Following a traditional homemade Goan lunch, the programme continued with awareness sessions by the Goa Police on cybercrime, talks by local health officers on healthy eating habits, and a presentation on garbage management involving residents of the Milroc Colina complex.

Speaking about the event, Festacar Marius Fernandes said that Zaddachem Fest was not merely a celebration but a reminder of the unity and shared values that bind Goans together, whether in Goa or abroad. He added that Milroc Colina’s lush gardens and open spaces provided the perfect setting for the festival’s historic first edition.

Serving as a cultural bridge, Zaddachem Fest encouraged participants to reconnect with their roots, language, and traditions while embracing Goa’s rich multicultural identity, leaving behind a strong message of unity, sustainability, and community-driven celebration.

rip

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash

Tanisha Cardozo

Ajit Anantrao Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and one of the state’s most seasoned political leaders, died on January 28, 2026, following a tragic plane crash in Baramati, Pune district. The chartered aircraft carrying Pawar attempted an emergency landing at Baramati airport when it crash-landed under circumstances that are currently under investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Multiple credible reports confirm that there were no survivors among the key passengers, including Pawar and several others aboard the aircraft.

Pawar, aged 66, had a long and distinguished political career spanning more than three decades, during which he held pivotal roles in the governance of Maharashtra. At the time of his death, he was serving as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister as well as the Minister for Finance and Planning — positions in which he played a central role in shaping policy and economic strategy for one of India’s most populous and economically significant states. Widely respected for his administrative acumen, Pawar was recognized both within his party, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and among political peers for his deep understanding of fiscal matters.

Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara in Ahmednagar district, Pawar’s political journey was rooted in grassroots engagement and cooperative movement involvement, which later propelled him into mainstream legislative and executive roles. Over the years, he served multiple terms in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and held ministerial portfolios across successive governments, earning a reputation as a pragmatic and seasoned leader.

The crash has triggered an outpouring of grief across Maharashtra and the national political landscape, with leaders from various parties expressing condolences and highlighting Pawar’s contributions to public service. As investigations into the cause of the plane incident continue, his death leaves a significant void in the state’s leadership and governance framework.

Ajit Pawar’s legacy will be remembered for his extensive public service, his role in economic governance, and his influence on state politics, marking the end of a prominent chapter in Maharashtra’s political history.

Travel

FLY91 Launches Daily Kochi–Agatti Flights, Plans Expansion to Seven New Regional Stations

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

FLY91 has announced the launch of daily non-stop flights between Kochi and Agatti in the Lakshadweep islands, with bookings now open for travel in both directions. The announcement comes as the regional airline accelerates its network growth, with plans to add seven new stations over the next 90 days as part of a phased expansion strategy.

The new Kochi–Agatti service marks a significant milestone for FLY91, enhancing connectivity between the Indian mainland and Lakshadweep through a key southern gateway. The airline currently operates flights between Agatti and Manohar International Airport in Goa, and the addition of Kochi provides island residents and visitors with greater flexibility, improved access, and more seamless onward connections.

As part of its expansion roadmap, FLY91 will add Kochi, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Hubballi, Dabolim, Nanded, and Indore to its network. Once operational, the airline’s footprint will expand to 15 stations, supported by a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft. Three additional aircraft are scheduled for induction within the next 45 days, enabling higher frequencies and the introduction of new city pairs while maintaining operational reliability.

The airline’s expansion will roll out in phases beginning in early February with the launch of daily Kochi–Agatti flights. This will be followed by thrice-daily services on the Rajahmundry–Hyderabad and Vijayawada–Hyderabad routes, along with daily flights between Hubballi–Hyderabad and Hubballi–Bengaluru. Subsequent phases will include connections from Nanded to South Goa and Bengaluru, while Indore will be linked to Jalgaon and Hyderabad.

Agatti Island, known for its coral reefs, lagoons, and pristine beaches, is an emerging tourism destination. Improved air connectivity is expected to support sustainable tourism while also easing travel for island residents who depend on limited transport options for education, healthcare, and commerce.

Commenting on the launch, Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91, said the daily Kochi–Agatti flights add momentum to regional aviation in India and reaffirm the airline’s commitment to connecting aspirational tier-two and tier-three destinations. He noted that improved regional connectivity will play a key role in unlocking India’s next phase of economic and tourism growth.

Headquartered in Ribandar, Goa, FLY91 currently connects nine destinations and operates from regional hubs including Goa, Hyderabad, Pune, and Bengaluru, with a strong focus on underserved regional markets.