Goa aims at 60 lakh tourists by year end

With the introduction of amphibious buses in Goa, the state has added another feather to its cap. Nikhil Desai, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, throws light on the special attractions of Goa and informs about the new convention cen

Goa has seen a healthy growth in tourist arrivals. With the launch of the ‘Duck Tour’ amphibious buses among other initiatives, tourist arrivals in the state is all set to cross the 60 lakh figure. Desai says, “We had about six per cent year-on-year growth in foreign tourist arrivals and over 25 per cent growth in domestic arrivals. We have grown from a net arrival of 40 lakh tourists into the state in 2014 to almost 52 lakh tourists in 2015. This year we are all set to cross the 60 lakh figure. This growth I am sure will be sustainable in the years to come as we have added a lot of new initiatives.”

Goa Tourism has increased the room capacity and added new products like heli tourism, sea planes, adventure tourism and AV tourism. Desai hopes that these initiatives keep up the tourist flow into the state in the years to come.

Projecting Goa as a strong MICE destination, Desai noted that even though national and international meetings and conventions take place in the state there is an urgent need to expand the infrastructure. “The Government has come up with a tender to set up a big convention and exhibition centre at GTDC’s own land at Farmagudi near Ponda. The state government is also working on building a 5000-plus seating capacity convention centre at Dona Paula on its own land," he added.

Goa is one the first states in India to have promoted various festivals. Talking about the same, Desai said, “Our festivals are very unique and form an experiential tourism in itself. Festival tourism is reaping us rich dividends.”

Goa Tourism has also become the first tourism board in the country to not only sell government hotels but also private packages. Desai said, “Our website has been converted into a web portal. Very soon we will be selling all India packages which include Goa as one of the destinations to the source markets outside India. We have also started AV tourism and bird tourism. To promote the same, we are having a bird festival in November.”

We have grown from a net arrival of 40 lakh tourists into the state in 2014 to almost 52 lakh tourists in 2015. This year we are all set to cross the 60 lakh figure. Nikhil Desai Managing Director Goa Tourism Development Corporation