On February 9, the Department of Goa Tourism organized a press conference to celebrate the launch of the Goa Carnival and Shigmotsav Festival.
When it comes to the white sands and warm waters of India, Goa holds the crown. This popular tourist destination is famous for luxurious beaches, yoga centres and spa retreats. Even though the 2020 pandemic led to a minor halt in the tourist flow, the Department of Goa Tourism is determined to invite greater footfall. To bring this to fruition, Rohan Khaunte, minister of Goa Tourism, wants tourists to explore Goa beyond sunset and beaches.
 Beyond Beaches
&ldquoThere is more to Goa than sunset and beaches,&rdquo Khaunte stated. He further talked about the beauty of the hinterlands and villages of Goa, which have never been explored, especially in tourism campaigns. There are 6 Wildlife Sanctuaries and a National Park in Goa. Green villages like Assagao and Uccasaim from the northern parts of Goa are also relatively unexplored territories. Khaunte&rsquos call to return to the hinterland is a new step in their direction. Recently, Governor Sreedhar Pillai, who recently launched &ldquoGram Sampurna Yatra,&rdquo also talked about the green regions of Goa. The purpose behind the Yatra was to visit the ancient groves and trees of Goa, often located in off-road villages, as a symbol of spiritual and cultural connection.
Exploring New International Markets
Besides new areas for Goa tourism, Khaunte also discussed new models. Among these, Tech tourism is a definite focus. As per the department, the UK-Russia crowd dominated the international tourist market in Goa. Under the current pipeline, the ministry wants to promote tourism in countries like the US, Germany and South Korea. Efforts towards bringing international digital nomads&mdashemployees who can work from a beach shack&mdashare also underway. The department will also launch World Tennis Tournament at the end of February in Goa.
Collaboration With Airbnb
Recently, homestays in Goa have been in the news. The current authorities are working towards an effort to standardize these properties for a smooth international experience. This effort is a step towards inviting longer staycations in this holiday destination. &ldquoThe international tourists stay for only 9-10 days. We want to help extend that.&rdquo Accordingly, the state has signed an MoU with Airbnb to help bring this to fruition. This standardization in the tourist experience will allow easy booking and accessibility to tourists worldwide.
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