Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The food and hospitality industry is the true backbone of Goa’s economy, sustaining nearly 40% of the state’s population, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Tuesday. Speaking at the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) Summit 2025 in Dona Paula, Khaunte stressed that the sector plays a vital role in shaping Goa’s identity and driving tourism.
“Fish curry rice remains the compass of Goa’s identity. Almost half of a tourist’s budget is spent on food, underlining how central our culinary culture is to the Goan experience,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to reposition the state as “Goa beyond beaches,” Khaunte said regenerative and sustainable tourism, with food at its heart, will define the next phase of growth.
“Goa is not just a paradise but a powerhouse. We take pride in standing tall as India’s culinary capital,” he added.
The summit brought together top restaurateurs, chefs and hospitality leaders to discuss how Goa’s culinary scene can serve as a model for sustainable growth and innovation in India’s tourism industry.
