The coastal state of Goa is known for its sunny beaches and lively atmosphere, but the state has much more to offer. It features stunning islands, forests, beautiful lakes, majestic forts, museums, rich cultural heritage spots, and hosts various traditional and cultural festivals. To highlight its diverse heritage and natural resources, Goa Tourism has introduced the 'Goa Beyond Beaches' initiative. This initiative aims to draw travellers to explore other destinations in the state, beyond the beaches, according to an official statement.
As the beaches are becoming increasingly crowded, it is crucial to draw travellers' attention to the diversity of other destinations in the state. At a recent travel and tourism fair in Kolkata, senior official, Deepak Narvekar from the Goa Tourism Department, stressed the significance of exploring heritage sites and forest reserves as alternative attractions. "This concept of Goa beyond beaches is getting increasingly popular and many people visiting the state are going to the interiors," he told PTI at the event. He said that more than one crore tourists, both international and domestic, visited Goa in 2023.
Narvekar, who is the deputy general manager (marketing), Goa Tourism Development Corporation, mentioned that the state government is promoting a homestay policy, allowing local residents to host tourists in their homes in the picturesque and peaceful villages of Goa, which are endowed with a rich heritage. "Tourists can have traditional Goan food cooked in the homestays, experience the local culture and the traditions there," he said. Narvekar emphasised that the Goa government is offering a generous financial support of Rs 2 lakh to individuals interested in setting up homestays. This investment will go towards improving infrastructure and providing high-quality furnishings to ensure an exceptional experience for tourists. "Of late, many homestays have come up in Goa and tourists are staying at these places in the villages to experience the rural life of the state," he said.
While Baga-Calangute and Panjim have always been popular, other locations are now emerging as attractive destinations. The interior of Goa is witnessing a surge in tourist interest, with places like Canacona, Bicholim, and Sattari becoming increasingly popular, according to Narvekar. He mentioned that animal sanctuaries in this western state are popular with tourists, too. The sanctuaries offer wildlife safaris for visitors, he added. Among the popular wildlife sanctuaries in Goa are Cotigao, Mhadei, Netravali, and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, the official said. "We get high-end tourists who come for bird watching," he said.
The officials from the Goa Tourism Development Corporation explained that at Cotigao, along the Goa-Karnataka border, visitors can see flying squirrels, slender lorises, Indian pangolins, mouse deer, four-horned antelopes, and more. Mhadei, located in the Western Ghats, is known for its rich biodiversity, where visitors can spot Indian gaur, barking deer, sambar deer, Asian palm civets, small Indian civets, wild boars, and other wildlife. If lucky, visitors may also catch a glimpse of black panthers, sloth bears, leopards, tigers, and dholes.
The trend of destination weddings is on the rise. Narvekar emphasized that the Goa government actively promotes the 'Wed in Goa' policy, making it easier to host weddings on beautiful beaches and in luxurious hotels. "We have set up a one-window system for facilitating the weddings. Whoever wants to get wedded in Goa has to make one application only and the rest will be facilitated by the tourism department," he said.