TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Goa and Israel are all set for strengthening tourism promotion ties with the Jewish state keen on introducing charter flights to the state. In turn Goa would promote Holy Land Tourism to woo locals to Israel.
Israel has also shown keen interest on pursuing the State’s plans for ‘knowledge centres’ in tourism and agriculture.
This issues were explored at the interaction between Goa and Israel after a delegation from Goa visited Israel last week.
The 20-member delegation was led by Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, along with Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar.
The delegation met the Tourism Minister of Israel, Uzi Landau in Jerusalem to promote Goa Tourism while also showcasing the State of Goa to Israel.
According to tourism ministry officials, Landau in a statement during his meeting with the Goa delegation said, “The people of Israel have chosen Goa as a favoured destination for tourism and would like to build a very healthy relationship between India and Israel.”
He added that he would take special steps to promote Goa in Israel and will appoint a nodal officer from his ministry to be a contact person for Goa Tourism.
“This will help knowledge and experience sharing between Israel and Goa for the benefit of promoting hinterland tourism too,” he said.
The Israeli Tourism Minister also assured Parulekar that he would try to establish scheduled direct flights from Israel to Goa for the benefit of tourists who will be interested in religious tourism.
Both Goa and Israel discussed issues pertaining to visas and steps needed to be taken for easy availability of the same.
Manguirish Pai Raikar, the former GCCI chief who represented the Chamber in this 20-member delegation made a presentation and mooted the idea that special packages for the benefit of tourists can be worked out, especially for those who are interested in religious tourism.
Raikar said, “The tourism promotion ties will boost both sides as Goa has much to offer visitors from Israel and Goans can avail of Holy Land tourism.” He said that Goa also has much to learn from Israel’s success story in rural tourism.
President of TTAG Francisco Braganca was also a part of the delegation.
