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In May 2020, a webinar on tourism and hospitality and ideas to take Goa forward took place, as reported here at the Herald Goa. The discussion covered several aspects of the state’s appeal and how it can transform, having been forced into a pause during the spring, including the impact of the state’s casino operators and the view of specific locations as heritage destinations.
On the face of it, Goa has just about everything in place to offer an appealing tourist experience: the state just needs to focus on the key points to maximize its appeal through advertising campaigns. So, here are some of the key areas that should be focussed on when trying to showcase Goa as a top tourist destination.
Focus on the unique constant access to entertainment
Goa isn’t like the rest of India, not becoming a part of the collective subcontinent until the 60s. The cities, culture, attitudes, and what’s on offer differ significantly from much of the rest of India. This aspect should be embraced, with the view of becoming “the Macao of India.” When people go to Macau – also a former Portuguese settlement, they don’t say that they’re going to China. Lean into the uniqueness of the destination, particularly the entertainment side, and make a distinction between going to the rest of India and visiting Goa. India’s smallest state is best-known for its beaches, nightlife, and music, which all combine to spell a fun and exciting time for visitors on their own. When you add inthe wide-ranging accessibility of the
internet in Goa,you can easily bill it as a destination where the fun stops.
Like Macau, this can particularly be applied to Goa’s unique offering of
gambling, which the webinar noted as being crucial to the local economy. Situated on the capital city-cutting
Mandovi River,the state’s popular casino offers night time entertainment to
tourists in a unique setting. It’s classic venues, such as those in Goa’s rich
land-based casino scene, that have served as the building blocks for
innovations to be made in the Indian online gambling industry. For example,
sites likeBetway showcase live casino titles such as Andar Bahar– a digitalized, online
version of the traditional Indian card game. You don’t have to look far today
to see the impact the country’s gambling culture has had on wider
entertainment, so it’d be a pity to miss out on the land-based Indian casino
experience too, while you’re in the region. The connectivity and the entertainment access that it
grants will particularly resonate with Millennial travelers. Not only do they
want to be able to connect to social media and post photos, but many will also
want to fill downtime with some form of gaming. Across India, and much of the
world,Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile
(PUBG Mobile)has become the go-to game for convenient fun on mobiles.
Don’t forget about the wildlife
Many people come to India to experience the nation’s
diverse array of wildlife as well as the country’s general respect for the
natural world. While Goa should aim to separate itself from the greater India
image, it can still draw from its natural appeal. Wildlife encounters are
listed as one of thetop reasons to visit Goa by World of
Wanderlust,with cows walking the beaches, as well as there being
kingfishers, langur monkeys, crocodiles, and buffalo to see. Tourists like to
see exotic animals in their natural environments. The emphasis, however, needs to be on how the state is
helping conservation efforts with endangered species and is providing them with
care, which may involve embracing the oft-disputed tiger population. These
days, people want to see animals in top-quality, educational zoos while knowing
that there is a broader conservation effort at play, as was the case of the two
elephantsbeing relocated from the zoo to the
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
Standout as unique
The running line through these suggestions has been to
emphasize how unique Goa is as a destination in India. As a former Portuguese
colony that boasts a diverse array of wildlife, floating casinos, great
internet hotspots, and a relaxed attitude, Goa can clearly stand out as an
experience unlike any other. One such aspect to lean into in this regard is the
food. Being heavily influenced by the tropical climate, the Portuguese, and, of
course, India, Goan cuisine is as intriguing as it is tasty. For imagery, there’s no better way to show off Goa as a
unique place than by presenting its extravagant architecture. Billed as being
Portuguese in build, the Portuguese influence on the architecture goes no
further than inspiration;Scroll notes that Goan structures can’t
be found anywhere elsein the world. Combine images of the iconic buildings with the
food and the beaches, and you’ve got the makings of a distinctly tantalizing
destination for tourists. Goa is an exciting and visually stunning location, and
should be among peoples’ top places to visit. All the region has to do is focus
advertising campaigns on creating its own image as a unique destination.
