PANJIM: After an over 19 percent growth in tourist footfalls for the year 2016, the State Government, focusing on newer markets through new tourism products like adventure tourism, theme parks and amusement facilities, has proposed a promotion and marketing scheme for the industry.
The scheme ‘Execution of Promotion and Marketing Activities of Goa Tourism’ has been launched with Tourism Department as the nodal agency for undertaking various marketing and promotion activities of Goa Tourism round the year in India and abroad.
“Goa is a unique tourist destination which attracts tourists from world over as well as from the different parts of the country. 2015, saw a whopping rise of 30.5 percent overall tourist arrivals over that of the preceding year. For 2016 there has been an increase of 19.5 percent in the overall tourist arrivals,” Tourism Director Menino D’Souza said.
D’Souza said tourism is a major driving force for the State as also to all those directly and indirectly dependent on it, however, the industry faces multiple challenges due to the tough competition that exists in the tourism market.
“Newly emerging tourism products, stakeholders and new States trying to promote their tourism products have increased the pressure to outstand in the market. It is therefore of utmost importance that this unique identity of Goa as a perfect tourist destination needs to be promoted and marketed in the right earnest,” he said.
D’Souza said this can be achieved by having a strong promotion and marketing policy for tourism. “A strategic plan giving details of the potential and emerging markets, and events taking place round the year is therefore of utmost importance. To stay in the competition it is equally important to participate in these events and promote and market Goa Tourism in the potential and emerging newer markets,” he stated.
The scheme focuses on appointment of consultants to formulate a vision plan for the industry. It also focuses on promoting Goa through art and culture.
The scheme proposes constitution of State Level Promotions and Marketing Committee under the chairmanship of the Tourism Minister, which will work out proposals for promotion of Goa tourism.
