Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Tourism is considering a five-year registration period for eligible A and B category tourism properties, including four- and five-star hotels, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte said on Sunday.
Speaking at the World Tourism Day 2026 stakeholders’ meet held at Grand Hyatt, Khaunte said the proposed longer registration period would be subject to compliance requirements and clear responsibility for meeting annual obligations.
He also announced that a MICE Bureau would be put in place as Goa seeks to strengthen its presence in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions segment.
The stakeholders’ meet was organised jointly by the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) and SKAL International. It brought together tourism stakeholders and industry representatives to discuss the future of the state’s tourism sector under the theme #GoaReimagines.
The event was attended by Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte, Director of Tourism Kedar Naik, TTAG President Jack Sukhija, Goa Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director Kuldeep Arolkar and other tourism stakeholders.
Focus on ease of doing business
Addressing the gathering, Khaunte stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the government and the tourism industry, saying reforms, infrastructure, safety, ease of doing business and new tourism experiences would be central to Goa’s next phase of tourism growth.
“I strongly believe that government has to always be a facilitator, and not a partner to be around with the business,” Khaunte said.
He said the government was working to simplify tourism-related processes and move services online, including hotel registrations, renewals, homestays, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses.
The Minister said the government had extended the deadline for applications and renewals for tourism properties until October 31, 2026.
He said eligible A and B category properties, including four- and five-star hotels, would be considered for five-year registration, subject to compliance and annual requirements.
Goa to strengthen MICE tourism
MICE tourism was a major focus of the discussions, with the government and industry representatives examining ways to attract more conferences, conventions, corporate events and incentive travel to Goa.
“The MICE Bureau will be in place,” Khaunte said, highlighting the government’s plans to create a dedicated institutional framework for the sector.
He also announced that Goa had become a lifetime member of the Indian Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), saying the state would work with the organisation to strengthen its convention and high-value corporate travel segment.
Regulation of adventure tourism
Khaunte also said the government was working on demarcating designated points where kayaking could be conducted and regulated.
“We are in the process of demarcations. Demarcations of points where kayaking can start and get regulated,” he said, adding that the government was working towards completing the process and establishing a clear framework for operators.
AI and the future of tourism
Artificial intelligence and technology also featured prominently during the discussions.
Khaunte said AI was already influencing the tourism sector but stressed that technology should complement rather than replace human judgement and hospitality.
“The question for this world is not whether AI will redesign tourism. It already is,” he said.
He added that AI should not have the final say in areas such as pricing, major guest-related decisions or emergencies.
Calling for a balance between technology and human interaction, Khaunte outlined the approach as “high tech, high touch, and high value”, with the objective of developing Goa as a year-round tourism destination.
The World Tourism Day 2026 stakeholders’ meet concluded with an emphasis on greater government-industry collaboration, ease of doing business, safety, MICE infrastructure, technology, hinterland tourism and improved visitor experiences.
“In Goa, there should be no off-season, only a difference,” Khaunte said.
