TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The new tourist season may see international tourists arriving at this coastal destination on inter-state tour packages, which the Goa Tourism department is likely to introduce in partnership with three neighbouring states.
Tourism officials in Goa have already held talks with the tourism development boards in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to design and jointly promote various tourism facets of the four states. The initiative is indeed an effort to boost foreign arrivals in the State while also encouraging domestic tourists to explore every bit of tourism attractions here.
Tourism Director Ameya Abhyankar told Herald the State has received ‘in principal’ agreement from its neighbours. “We are seriously contemplating taking this initiative to bring in large influx of tourists to Goa. It will promote certain tourism circuits (of the four states) for those coming on electronic visas,” the director elaborated.
A follow up meeting is tentatively scheduled in Mumbai or Goa that will also see participation from various stakeholders from the quartet states to jointly chalk out promotional activities. “We are taking into confidence all the tourism stakeholders,” Abhyankar added.
The State recorded 5,13,592 arrivals from more than 30 nations in the last calendar year, an increase of 21,270 compared to 2013. This is despite a significant decline in the number of arrivals from US, Lithuania and Czech Republic. Nonetheless, there was also a steep rise of tourists from France, UAE, Japan and Iran.
Sources in the department said the joint venture could help bring in foreign tourists to Goa twice a year considering that citizens from majority nations are on short and long trips annually.
“A large number of nationalities prefer sun and sand and nature, which Goa is already bestowed with in addition to other tourist attractions. Maharashtra is famous for Ajanta Caves, Karnataka for Humpi and Tamil Nadu for temples besides other sight seeing attractions. Tourists on short and long tours can take advantage of this package,” an official added.
