Goa tourism needs to be taken beyond beaches and parties
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Panaji (Goa) – “Goa’s tourism needs to be taken beyond beaches and ‘party life’. For this, efforts have to be made to change the mentality of the people along with that of the organisations and companies related to the tourism sector. Through this, ‘Hinterland (rural) Tourism’, ‘Adventure Tourism’, ‘Spiritual Tourism’ etc. should be encouraged”, expressed Suneel Anchipaka, an IAS office and the Director of Goa Tourism Department. He was addressing the 2-day event ‘Goa International Travel Mart 2024’ organised by Goa State Tourism Department. This event started on 3rd April at Taleigao’s Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium.
To relive the Indian ethos by revisiting it or say, rediscovering it is the need of the hour!
With this objective of developing regenerative tourism, #GITM2024 (Goa International Tourism Mart) was held in Taleigao in Goa today!
Goa’s tourism department has spearheaded in this… pic.twitter.com/7ProCwIATP
— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) April 3, 2024
A seminar on ‘Regenerative Tourism’ (Note) was held in the morning session on 3rd April. The seminar was addressed by Suneel Anchipaka, Director of Goa Art and Culture Department Sagun Velip and other senior officials of tourism related companies. All the speakers opined that Goa will focus on regenerative and sustainable tourism. State Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte was also present at this event for a short time. Representatives of tourism companies from various countries like India, Vietnam, South Korea, Nepal, USA, West Indies and African countries have participated in this event.
(Note: Regenerative tourism is a comprehensive effort to create positive long-term impacts on the natural, social and economic aspects of a tourist destination)
On this occasion, some MoUs were signed between the Goa Tourism Department and organisations related to the sector. These included organisations or companies such as ‘Mastercard’, ‘Fly91′, ‘All India Institute of Medical Sciences’, ‘Ironman’ and ‘Agoda’.
We were happy to speak with Shri. Sunil Anchipaka ji @SuneelAnchipaka director of Goa tourism in the #GITM2024 event today. It was a very cordial meet.
His dedicated efforts to regenerate tourism, the Bharatiya way are really commendable.
It’s the maiden attempt by any Indian…
— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) April 3, 2024
Goa is the first State in the country to focus on regenerative tourism
Goa’s tourism sector is not limited to ‘Sun, Sand and Sea’. It is important to introduce tourists to rural Goa away from beaches, Goan tradition, spiritual tourism, diverse culture, Goan hospitality etc. Goa is the first State in the country to focus on regenerative tourism. Sahyadri valleys, sanctuaries, and natural beauty in the east of Goa should attract tourists. Experts also expressed the opinion that there should be contact with the local people of Goa, the affection the people of Goa have for others, the creation of facilities at the local level, giving scope to local arts etc.