The Goa chapter of the much-anticipated Storytelling in Heritage Tourism course, designed, conceptualized, and conducted by Make It Happen, at Dempo College, Panjim, is set to begin from August 11. The course is supported by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation and Dempo College, underscoring the commitment to enhancing Goa’s cultural and heritage tourism landscape.
Make It Happen is a pioneering organization in the field of heritage tourism, dedicated to curating immersive and meaningful experiences that highlight the rich cultural and historical fabric of Goa. The inaugural function was held in the presence of Director of Tourism, along with Jack Sukhija, TTAG President, both of whom emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Goa’s rich heritage through innovative educational initiatives like this course.
The course faculty includes distinguished experts and industry leaders such as Maria Victor and Murali Shankaran, founders of Make It Happen, along with in-house researchers and storytellers from Make
t Happen. Esteemed contributors also include Heta Pandit, author of 11 books on Goan heritage, and Sanjiv Khandelwal, founder of Sensible.Earth, the centre for sustainability in Goa.
The ‘Storytelling in Heritage Tourism’ course is structured in a hybrid format, offering a total of 8 sessions scheduled on Sundays. Participants will benefit from 5 online sessions and 3 on-site workshops focused on the art of storytelling. The course aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to leverage storytelling as a powerful tool in heritage tourism. Registrations will be open until August 10.
Key topics to be covered during the course include the impact and power of storytelling, the art of storytelling in heritage tourism, history of tourism and the rise of experiential tourism, research methodology in heritage tourism, on site workshops on the history of Goa, tourism aligning with UNSDGs, entrepreneurship in heritage tourism and sustainability initiatives in heritage tourism.
This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the role storytelling plays in enhancing the tourism experience, fostering a deeper connection between visitors and the cultural heritage of Goa. By aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and focusing on sustainability, the course also aims to contribute to the long-term preservation of Goa’s unique cultural and natural heritage.
