TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Coinciding with his birthday, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar launched two of the three ambitious tourism ventures – the hot air balloon and amphibious vehicle, on Saturday. The tourism department is expected to introduce the third project – a seaplane service, along with another proposed service – helicopter tourism by the year-end.
The hot air balloon was flagged off at Campal ground by Parulekar. Chief Secretary R K Srivastava, GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral and Panjim MLA Siddharth Kunkolienkar were also present. He took a brief aerial tour thereafter.
The Cameroon 180 will be part of the fleet that will be in operation in Goa taking tourists skywards to view Goa’s picturesque landscape and offer spectacular aerial displays of the State’s tourism sites. Plans to cover the entire State will happen in the months to come.
This adventure project will be operated by Delhi-based Camping Retreats of India Pvt Ltd, known for its high standards of security, safety and customer service in conduct of Tiger Balloon Safaris in India and abroad.
This was followed by the unveiling of a first-of-its-kind in India for civilian use – amphibious vessels, in the premises of the Paryatan Bhavan at Patto. Parulekar said the 33-seater passenger bus – which will operate both on land and sea – will give tourists a thrilling experience in the inland waterways, with tours to the backwaters, crocodile dandies, bird-watching trips and more.
The vessel, manufactured in Goa by Amphibious Design India, will cover more than seven routes across five talukas. A project of seven amphibious vehicles fitted with US technology has been undertaken. Six more will soon be launched in the State in association with ACGL Pvt Ltd.
“It is a proud moment for Goa, both in terms of infrastructure and innovative activities. This is the need of the hour for Goa Tourism as it wants its ventures to increase and grow with every passing year so that tourists are attracted to the State and will come more often and increase their duration of stay,” the tourism minister said.
