Beyond sun and seas, Goa’s villages and rituals beckon
Along the banks of the Zuari River in the Indian state of Goa, villagers gather to collect mud and make a crocodile sculpture in reverence of the animal deity for protecting their lands from saline water seepage.
Deeply ingrained in the local culture, this annual ritual is earmarked by Goa as one of the many attractions to draw domestic and foreign visitors as it aims to revamp its key tourism industry. The state is planning to promote its numerous festivals, idyllic villages and historic temples to complement its traditionally popular beaches, casinos and nightspots.
Authorities have launched the “regenerative tourism” initiative to showcase Goa’s less explored hinterlands and attract emerging visitor segments such as ecotourists.
“Goa has been known for its sun and seas. We need to ensure that things start changing,” Goa tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said.
“The key idea behind the initiative is to take care of not just the environment but also the ethos, culture, and tradition of Goa. We want to energise the entire tourism ecosystem not with a commercial thought but with a human touch,” he added.
Khaunte was speaking on the sidelines of a two-day industry event held in the state capital Panaji on April 3 and 4 to highlight Goa’s tourism campaign.
Suneel Anchipaka, director of Goa Tourism and Development Corporation, said Goa was on track to achieve its ecotourism objectives.
“Goa is an ideal ecotourism destination due to its diverse ecosystems, ranging from the vibrant forests of the Western Ghats to the peaceful backwaters and lush green mangrove vegetation along the riverbanks,” said Anchipaka, referring to the Unesco World Heritage Site that is considered one of the most important global biodiversity hotspots.
With a rich history dating back thousands of years, Goa’s multifaceted culture, architecture and cuisine have been shaped by a myriad of religious and political forces.
From the early 16th century, Goa was in the hands of Portuguese colonists until 1961, when the Indian Army took over the territory.
The coastal state gradually transformed into a hot tourist destination between the 1960s and the 1980s, with the Vietnam war sparking a huge influx of Western tourists into Goa reminiscent of the “Flower Power” era in the US.
“A wave of anti-establishment sentiment, transcending materialistic pleasures, swept across the world, especially the West at that time,” said Ralph de Sousa, a tourism industry veteran in Goa.
In recent years, the scenic Goan coastline has become the setting for full-moon parties where participants gather to light candles and attend events involving musicians and authors from around the world.
Tourism is a key industry in Goa, contributing over 16 per cent to its economy and employing 35 per cent of the population. A total of 9 million foreign tourists and millions of domestic tourists on average visit Goa every year.
Goa is increasing its air connectivity, renovating major religious sites and opening up more green spaces for travellers. However, such plans have sparked concerns about the potential adverse impact on the environment and local communities.
Parag Rangnekar, a wildlife enthusiast and a Goa tourism board member, said the authorities should embark on sustainable expansion and resource management to prevent ecological degradation and safeguard local communities. While tourism infrastructure was essential, there was a need to consider local issues such as water security, he added.