Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: On February 21, during his visit to the Goa Pavilion at the Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Faridabad, Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), emphasized that Goa’s tourism landscape is evolving to include more than just its renowned beaches and vibrant parties. This shift is part of a broader strategy to attract a diverse range of visitors.
Gaonkar credited the efforts of Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte for the state’s new focus on jungle safaris and cultural heritage. Tourists can now explore historical forts, ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and various goddesses, biodiversity parks, medicinal plant gardens, waterfalls, and UNESCO World Heritage sites in Goa’s hinterland.
The Surajkund International Crafts Mela, which began on February 7 and will continue until February 23, is showcasing the artistic and cultural talents of artists from India and abroad. Gaonkar highlighted that Goa is currently restoring 25 ancient temples, comparable to the famous temples of Kashi and Ujjain. A grand Mahashivratri Mahotsav is also scheduled to take place at the Mahadev Temple on February 25.
Sunil Kumar, Managing Director of Haryana Tourism Corporation, noted that Goa and Haryana are collaborating to showcase their cultural heritage at the Surajkund Mela. This collaboration is set to continue in the future to promote tourism. At the event, traditional Konkani dance performances by Goa’s artists were a major highlight.
In a recent conversation with CNBC-TV18, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte addressed concerns about a perceived decline in tourist arrivals. He underscored that Goa is recognized for its rich cultural heritage, hinterland tourism, and status as one of India’s top family destinations. In 2024, Goa welcomed 1.04 crore tourists, a 21% increase from the 86.28 lakh visitors in 2023. The number of domestic tourists rose from 81.75 lakh in 2023 to 99.41 lakh in 2024, while foreign tourist numbers increased from 4.52 lakh to 4.67 lakh during the same period.
