Among the most popular of India’s tourist destinations, Goa, the only one which has a history of direct charters from overseas markets, the tourism industry, both from government and hospitality, is building upon the charm and ethos of this unique destination. We meet with Goa’s tourism minister, Rohan Khaunte, to understand the efforts underway to bring more tourists, ensure their safety and security, and offer them an unforgettable experience.
We are now virtually in the middle of this season, how is it panning out, especially with regard to the number of incoming charters, a primary source for Goa for foreign tourists? Are there any changes from previous years?
This season, Goa is witnessing a significant rise in charter arrivals, particularly from the UK, Russia, and Poland. Building on our work with Uzbekistan in the previous year, Goa now has a scheduled flight from Tashkent. With enhanced connectivity and infrastructure, especially through our two active international airports, we expect the charter market to grow further, with interest emerging from new regions in Southeast Asia.
With the new Mopa airport, how has connectivity improved, and what impact do you anticipate on tourist footfall?
This has significantly enhanced Goa’s accessibility, accommodating a higher volume of both domestic and international flights. This expansion opens up new routes to Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, offering increased convenience and flexibility for travellers. Together with Dabolim Airport, which remains a vital gateway known for its proximity to key tourist destinations in South Goa, the two airports have created a well-rounded network that caters to diverse travel needs. Mopa’s state-of-the-art facilities and efficient customs processing complement Dabolim’s established infrastructure, ensuring a seamless experience for both short-haul and long-haul travellers. This dual-airport model promises a substantial increase in tourist arrivals, contributing positively to Goa’s tourism growth.
In Oct 2024, Goa celebrated a major milestone in international tourism with the arrival of the first two charter flights from Russia at Mopa. These inaugural Aeroflot flights, carrying passengers from Ekaterinburg and Moscow respectively, mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Goa’s connectivity and tourism growth. Furthermore, in Oct 2024, we also welcomed passengers arriving on the first scheduled flight from Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Any new connections with overseas markets that are being explored or established, with the idea of expanding our source markets?
Indeed, we are actively expanding our international connections, focusing on new routes with the UK, Russia, and Central Europe, while exploring emerging destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Recently, Goa welcomed its first scheduled flights from Tashkent, as I mentioned, and a charter from Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking a significant milestone in attracting new markets. Additionally, charter flights from Poland started in November 2024. These expanded connections are designed to make Goa accessible to a broader international audience, enhancing its growing appeal as a prime destination for leisure and wellness tourism.
Destination Goa has a strong image as a fun and vibrant attraction. How are you building on this to attract a broader audience?
We are expanding its identity beyond the beach-party image to showcase its rich cultural heritage, ecotourism, and wellness offerings, and position itself as a premier destination for MICE. With successful events such as the G20 meetings and FHRAI conferences hosted in Goa, the state is gaining recognition as an ideal location for high-profile conferences and corporate gatherings.
Initiatives like promoting hinterland tourism, celebrating local festivals, and highlighting Goa’s unique culinary experiences are attracting family travellers, wellness seekers, and those interested in sustainable tourism.
Goa is also the first state in India to introduce Regenerative Tourism, under which the Ekadasha Teertha 11-temple circuit is being developed to become a significant attraction for a diverse audience.
Traditional festivals like Chikhal Kalo, Tripurari Poornima, Sao Joao, and Shigmo are also growing in popularity among international tourists, offering them a deeper connection to Goa’s vibrant culture.
Furthermore, Goa is emerging as a sought-after wedding destination, drawing couples from around the world with its scenic backdrops and cultural richness. Continuing to build on relationships and partnerships with event organizers and cultural groups, Goa positions itself as an all-season destination, catering to a wide range of interests and age groups.
Goa is now regarded as the events capital of India. How are you facilitating this growth, especially given past concerns around regulatory interventions?
We are committed to maintaining a balance between fostering a thriving event environment and ensuring regulatory compliance. We are in the process of further simplifying permissions and processes for event organizers and are actively promoting Goa as a hub for music festivals, conferences, and international sports events. By collaborating with law enforcement and local stakeholders, we’re ensuring that these events run smoothly, with minimal disruption to the local community.
Law and order at tourist destinations is always a big concern for both the authorities as well the tourists. What steps are being taken to enhance safety and security for visitors?
Ensuring the safety of tourists is a core priority for Goa Tourism. To enhance security, we have strengthened engagement with the local police, increasing surveillance in popular areas, and expanding lifeguard coverage on key beaches. Campaigns to raise safety awareness are underway, along with a tourist helpline to provide prompt assistance. Additionally, the Goa Tourism Helpline Number 1364 is available for reporting any other concerns or violations.
On National Tourism Day in January 2024, we launched the Beach Vigil App, designed to improve beach management. This app allows users to report concerns like unauthorized deck beds, hawkers, waste, and safety issues, fostering a sense of shared responsibility. Equipped with an auto-escalation feature, it directs issues to relevant authorities for quick action. The Beach Vigil App is a testament to how technology can address contemporary challenges, ensuring Goa’s beaches remain a golden ticket to a sustainable and enjoyable experience for all.
The GOAMILES App and the Goa Taxi App, unique in being driver-centred and cost-free, aim to support local taxi drivers, streamline payments, and offer tourists a reliable, digitally convenient service that bridges connections between visitors and locals.
Is there a need for stricter regulation concerning homestays, considering the increase in accommodations?
In India, we welcome tourists by saying “Athithi Devo Bhava,” meaning “the Guest is God,” which reflects the nation’s deep-rooted tradition of hospitality. Driven by this spirit and the expanding travel market, homestays are becoming increasingly sought after experiences among travellers and hosts alike. In a destination like ours, homestays are evolving to cater to the preferences of modern travellers.
The Tourism Department, Government of Goa, is leading this shift through its “Homestay and B&B Policy.” This initiative not only aims to highlight Goa’s hinterlands as a complement to its well-known beaches but also promotes lesser-explored areas under the #GoaBeyondBeaches initiative. The goal is to provide serene and immersive experiences for today’s travellers. While homestays have significantly boosted non-urban tourism in Goa, ensuring quality and safety remains a priority. Goa Tourism is developing regulatory guidelines under ease of doing business to establish licensing and standardize services, ensuring a safe and consistent experience for guests while supporting local entrepreneurs. Under the Homestay Policy, there is also a provision for financial assistance as per the policy guidelines, helping to empower local hosts and promote sustainable tourism – supporting the woman entrepreneur who generally is the one who sets up and manages the homestay.
Is there an active marketing strategy for domestic tourism, or is it largely sustaining itself through existing popularity?
While Goa remains a popular choice for domestic tourists, we actively implement a comprehensive strategy to attract visitors year-round, including during the monsoon season. Campaigns have been launched to showcase unique festivals, monsoon experiences, and scenic hinterlands, aiming to expand the destination’s appeal beyond the beaches. The focus is on positioning Goa as a versatile destination that caters to diverse interests—from cultural tourism to adventure sports and wellness retreats. Additionally, Goa Tourism participates in key domestic fairs and trade shows such as SATTE in Delhi, GITB in Jaipur, TTF in Kolkata, and OTM in Mumbai, among others, to increase visibility and engagement among the travel trade and industry.
Promotional efforts also extend to in-flight magazines, social media & influencer campaigns, and websites, ensuring a consistent presence that resonates with travellers across the country and across the globe. We are strongly aligned with the Honorable PM’s call on Dekho Apna Desh, wherein Goa was probably the only state to sign an MoU with another state namely Uttarakhand, to promote Uttar Kashi (Uttarakhand) to Dakshin Kashi (Goa).
Also, the Goan Diaspora is located all across the globe in large numbers – we are actively promoting the Chalo India initiative – designed for Indians to bring their non-Indian friends to India, and to Goa.