TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Goa Tourism has announced the launch of hot air balloons and amphibious vessels by April 2015, in another attempt to increase tourist footfalls. Both adventures services will help tourists explore the hinterland.
Camping Retreats Pvt Ltd (Delhi) and Consortium (United States) along with Goa based D’Souza Leisure Pvt Ltd have been selected by the government to provide the hot air balloon service and the amphibious service respectively.
The idea, thrown up by Goa Tourism Development Corporation, is part of the larger plan to introduce new amusements for tourists in Goa. Buoyed by the success of white water rafting and the women’s taxi services, GTDC has set April 2015 as the target date to launch these new ventures.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said that Goa Tourism will focus on enriching the tourism experience through adventure and allied activities.
GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral said that both adventure services will focus on highlighting Goa’s hinterlands and will give tourists an opportunity to explore the rich geography of the State, aerially and through the waterways.
Six amphibious vehicles will be introduced and will utilize Goa’s many ferry ramps and be equipped with necessary facilities.
This venture will facilitate ‘Hop On, Hop Off’ tours along Goa’s inland waterways and chain of jetties and ferry ramps, bird watching tours and eco-tourism. Some 34 passengers can be accommodated per trip.
The amphibious vehicles, the first of its kind for civilian use in the country, will be manufactured in Goa by AGCL with US technology.
The hot air ballooning safaris will be designed by Camping Retreats Pvt Ltd who will induct two hot air balloons initially and these will be used to tours over Dudhsagar waterfalls.
GTDC Managing Director Nikhil Desai expects that the two projects will create a better portfolio. The joint ventures between GTDC and the selected agencies will generate a committed Rs 60 lakh per annum to GTDC alone.
