Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Tour Operators Association of India (TOAI) inaugurated its Global Tourism Summit 2025 at Hotel Le Meridien, Calangute, bringing together prominent voices from the travel and tourism industry.
The event was inaugurated in the presence of Mr. Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager (Marketing) of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Rakesh Mathur, President of the Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI), Mr. Abdul Nazir, President of TOAI, Mr. Peerzada Faiyaz Ahmed, National Advisor to TOAI, and Mr. Shrikant Samant, State Coordinator & GTS Convenor 2025.
In his address, Mr. Narvekar outlined Goa’s vision for sustainable tourism under the Goa Beyond Beaches campaign, while Mr. Rakesh Mathur stressed the importance of environmental awareness and responsible tourism practices. Representing Jharkhand, the partner state for the summit, TOAI Vice President Mr. Shankar Roy highlighted opportunities for cross-state tourism collaboration.
The summit features a series of knowledge-sharing sessions, including “Tour Operators vs. Online Travel Portals,” a session on GST and TCS led by Chartered Accountant Mr. Vaibhav Pai Fondekar, along with discussions on sustainable tourism, destination management, and tourism infrastructure.
“We are delighted to host this summit in Goa, a state known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. The discussions here will shape the future of tourism in India,” said Mr. Abdul Nazir, President of TOAI.
Mr. Shrikant Samant, Convenor of GTS 2025, added that the summit provides TOAI members with a valuable platform to promote Goa on national and international levels.
Delegates also appreciated Goa’s hospitality, exploring local attractions while acknowledging the efforts of the state tourism department in enhancing facilities and infrastructure for visitors.
