Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Goa Tourism Development Corporation convened its first Travel Agents Meet of 2026 in Panjim, bringing together key players from the travel and tourism ecosystem to deepen partnerships and align strategies for promoting Goa as a diverse, experience driven destination.
The event saw the participation of Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte, GTDC Chairman Kedar Naik, Managing Director Kuldeep Arolkar and senior officials, along with 55 travel agents, online travel aggregators and new tourism service operators from across Goa.
Addressing the gathering, the Tourism Minister underscored the role of travel agents as long term partners in shaping the state’s tourism growth. He said collaboration with the trade is essential as Goa expands its focus beyond beaches to promote quality tourism and immersive experiences. The emphasis, he noted, remains on balanced development that benefits local communities, strengthens livelihoods and enhances visitor satisfaction.
GTDC Chairman Kedar Naik highlighted the influence of travel agents as the first point of contact for travellers and key contributors to shaping destination perception. He announced that the Travel Agents Meet would become an annual outreach initiative of Goa Tourism. Plans were also outlined for a dedicated trade show in Gujarat to strengthen engagement in that important source market. Additionally, GTDC will introduce awards recognising top performing travel agents nationally and regionally for measurable contributions to promoting Goa.
Managing Director Kuldeep Arolkar said the platform enables GTDC to better align its residencies and new tourism services with evolving market expectations. Representatives from the travel trade welcomed the initiative, describing it as a constructive forum for direct engagement and coordinated efforts.
Seven prominent tour operators were felicitated for their contribution to promoting Goa. The programme also featured discussions on emerging markets, changing traveller preferences and collaborative promotional strategies, reinforcing the state’s commitment to positioning Goa as a responsible and high quality global tourism destination.
