Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a strategic move to position Goa as a premier destination for corporate travel and large-scale business events, the Department of Tourism, Goa has secured Lifetime Membership with the India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB). The collaboration aims to expand the state’s tourism portfolio beyond beaches and establish Goa as a year-round hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).
The Lifetime Membership certificate was handed over to the Department of Tourism, Goa by Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism Arun Srivastava, ICPB Treasurer Neeraj Dhawan and ICPB Executive Director Dr Poonam Rajput at a ceremony held at Assembleia, Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon on March 26.
Officials said Goa is transforming its tourism landscape to cater to growing “bleisure” travel, with business-ready infrastructure including upcoming convention centres at Rua-de-Ourem Creek and Margao, along with improved global connectivity through Manohar International Airport, Mopa.
The Department highlighted that after hosting major global events such as G20 working group meetings, Goa is promoting a sustainable tourism model integrating heritage, eco-tourism, wellness and hinterland experiences into corporate travel offerings.
Union Tourism Ministry officials welcomed the move, stating that Goa’s integration into ICPB aligns with national efforts to position India as a global MICE hub. Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte said the lifetime membership will help attract high-value global events while driving sustainable tourism growth in the state.
The partnership is also expected to encourage venues in Goa to take Associate Membership under ICPB, strengthening the state’s presence in the national MICE network and creating more opportunities for local stakeholders.
