Tourism is all about locals, cultures & hidden places

It’s almost  like a wedding without a bride. This is perhaps going to be the first ever tourism day without its key ingredient. Tourists. How do you plan the future of a global round the clock industry, touching lives and hearts without knowing if the key  protagonist of this theatre, the traveller  will show up.
From Santorini to Salcete the basics do not change. People amd rheirnneed ro explore new places.
What Goa needs is a paradigm shift in the way Goan is perceived. “Sun Sand & Sea” or “365 days on holiday” are catch phrases that worked for Goa’s Tourism . Now it could or should be “Tread the untreaded paths”
But even some of these paths are getting crowded. But its still in the right direction.
Prashant Maurya a veteran tourism professional & travel explorer  said they were organising customised tours on a small scale to the hinterlands.  He said “The government has been talking about promoting the hinterland and that worries me a great deal. When they step it, it is usually done in an irresponsible manner. We organize tours to Dudhsagar, Netravali and Mynapi waterfalls. One has to only look at what has happened to Dudh sagar waterfall to realize the damage caused by blinkered policy. Jeeps after jeeps carrying tourists and shops present over there has changed the balance in that place”
Varun Hegde who specializes in offbeat tourism felt a refocus was the need of the hour. He said it had to be promoted even within the state and the communication and the organisation should not be haphazard. It was important to involve the local communities and over a period of time it would change the way Goa was perceived within the country and the rest of the world. He said “Our tourists involve themselves in cooking with the locals as well as draping a saree which is very popular. We also do this in other places like Sanquelim. The locals are involved in all our efforts”. He said now with the virus running riot everything had stopped but they had come up with ten new trials but would be given only to a family meaning no one else would be on that trip. He felt the growing popularity of such trips would ensure good response.
Poonam Ribo  has been involved in nautical tourism and has been involved in popularising the biodiversity of Chapora river. She said “So far it has been all about powerboats and jet skis in Goa when they talk about nautical tourism. We started around 8 years ago and our trips are between one to four hours. We introduce the mangroves in the area and the biodiversity. The number of tourists interested is growing very fast. Responsible tourism does not have to be serious it can be great fun. We also have kayak adventures which is great fun. Goa has to look beyond the obvious because so much can be done here”        
Maria Victor has been involved in creating walks to interesting corners in Goa. She said “We have created the Kushawati Heritage Trail which focuses on the culture and heritage of the state. It is a full day experience and is meant for someone looking for an immersive experience” She said the state attracted all kinds of tourists from those who wanted to party all night to those wanted to visit places of historical and religious importance and she and others like her were now present to cater to that market.  She said they also had a trip to the Divar island to experience old-world charm, paddy fields, ancient temple sites, pretty churches, Indo-Portuguese houses and winding roads. During the trip visitors would learn insightful stories about Divar Island and the reason behind the name of the island. 
These are unique experiences.Lunch served in a beautiful Indo- Portuguese house hosted by the owners of the house. Visit one the finest Baroque churches in Goa from the highest point in Divar Island and meet the residents of Divar Island and understand how minimalism and slow paced lifestyle can be sustainable and be splendid.
One can only hope this will achieve some success because it that lies the future of the state.