PANJIM: Department of Tourism on Friday launched new helipad service and tourism helpline for with an aim to boost high quality and safe tourism in Goa.
The helipad has been set up in Dauje, Ella, and Old Goa in partnership with Soaring Aerospace Private Limited, Goa Tourism. The company has proposals for helicopter services to motivate tourism in Goa. A 10-minute helicopter joyride setting forth a panoramic aerial view for the tourists, costing Rs. 8,000 inclusive of GST per person, is available for famous sightseeing such as Old Goa churches, Divar island, Chorao island, Atal Setu, Panjim city, Miramar, Coco beach/Nerul bay, Fort Aguada, Sinquerim fort and beach besides Calangute, Candolim and Baga beach.
The service will be available for five rides between 11 am and noon and from 3 pm to 4 pm. The customers can also avail themselves of the option to craft their very own customized Heli tours, to make the breathtaking experience even more personalised.
Customers can commission the helicopter to enjoy exclusive airport transfers to and from Mopa to Dabolim Airport as well. They can also be transferred to or from North or South Goa hotels and resorts whenever landing facilities are available. Also, exclusive city helicopter transfers will be available, viz., Mumbai, Kolhapur, Belgaum, Hubli, etc. The company has an ambitious plan to connect to the Hampi World Heritage Site.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said, “Helitourism is one of the many efforts government is putting in to target in getting quality tourists to the state. Concentration on this sector with streamlining the operations will enable us to boost quality,” he said.
“It is a landmark and a milestone as far as Tourism industry in Goa is concerned. We have to start looking at tourism differently. Our focus has been on shifting to quality tourists for Goa,” said Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte.
Meanwhile the much needed helpline, 1364, will function as a source of information about various tourism-related services in Goa, offering information on hotels, beaches, adventure sports, transport, complaints, feedbacks and much more.
