In a move to bolster its tourist prospects, the Goa Tourism Department recently participated in the Tashkent International Tourism Fair in Uzbekistan, aiming to showcase Goa's diverse tourist attractions. Renowned as a prominent event in Central Asia, the fair provided a crucial platform to showcase Goa's unique tourism aspects.
Assisted by the Indian Embassy in Uzbekistan, the Goa Pavilion found space at the fair, inaugurated by Manish Prabhat, the Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan, in the presence of various dignitaries, including Anand Tripathi, Advisor Dipak Narvekar from the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Sagar Agni, Media Advisor to the Tourism Minister of Goa, and Rajesh Badola, Head of the Consular Wing.
Prabhat, Indian envoy to Uzbekistan, highlighted Goa's potential as a medical tourism hub, given Uzbek citizens' demand for quality medical treatments. He stressed the importance of promoting Goa among tour and travel agents in Uzbekistan and neighbouring Central Asian countries.
He also lauded the efforts of Goa Tourism in showcasing diverse offerings like beaches, yoga, wellness, Ayurveda, eco, spiritual, heritage tourism, and local traditions.
The Goa Pavilion garnered substantial interest at the fair, becoming a focal point of the Tashkent International Tourism Fair, an event supported by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since 1995, drawing tourism professionals worldwide.
Earlier this month, Goa also participated in the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, UK. The goal was to highlight Goa as a year-round tourism destination, moving beyond its beaches to focus on aspects like Eco-Tourism, Hinterland Tourism, Heritage Tourism and Sports Tourism, to name a few. The objective was to entice UK and European tourists to explore Goa's rich cultural heritage. Officials also promoted the e-tourist visa facility accessible at Goa International Airport in Dabolim and Manohar International Airport in Mopa, North Goa, to encourage more European visitors.