In an Exclusive interview to Debajyoti Chakraborty, Consulting Editor of The Travel and Tourism Times at the sidelines of TTF Ahmedabad 2024, Mr. Laxmikant Vaingakar, GM of GTDC speaks candidly about the latest offerings of Goa Tourism….
“On behalf of our dynamic tourism minister, Mr. Rohan A Khaunte, Chairman Ganesh Gaukar, MD and Director, Sunil Anchipaka etc we welcome all stakeholders in our stall in TTF Ahmedabad , says Mr. Laxmikant Vaingakar, General Manager of Goa Tourism Development Corporation.”
He along with Mr. Prashant Parsekar, information assistant of Goa Tourism and Sudesh Tamboskar, Assistant Tourist Officer of Goa were present in TTF Ahmedabad 2024.
QUESTION )Emphasise the importance of event like TTF Ahmedabad in promoting Goa’s tourism potential and connecting with the key industry players?
ANSWER) Goa tourism has taken a 200 square feet of stall in TTF Ahmedabad, there are 47 people have arrived from Goa, including for example we have a co exhibiters like hotels, travel agent , etc.
Here we have actual hotels in Goa offering and showcasing all their offerings for the people of Gujarati people who want to come here. The people of Gujarat who are willing to travel will have a very good deal that too directly with the hoteliers and tour operators and travel agents.
Bengalies and Gujaratis come to Goa in very large numbers and we can offer them everything here directly through these hoteliers, travel agents and tour operators. They can surely have the best deals.
Though through online information these minute details and deals may not be available .
So we are just showcasing our hotels – their facilities, rooms, food here to the interested people in Ahmedabad and many of whom may be visiting Goa for the first time. So this will act as first hand information about Goa Tourism.
QUESTION ) Can you highlight Goa as a premium tourist destination?
ANSWER) Well, Goa is the premium tourism destination of India. Goa is very famous for its beaches. But our tourism minister Shri Rohan Khaunte, has started a concept regenerative tourism which includes Ekadasha Tirtha.
Ekadash Tirtha, is Goa’s very old eleven number of Hindu Temples and are located in the main hinterland and have very much spiritual significance. We have started the campaign Beyond Goa Beyond the Beaches.
In this Ekadasa Tirtha we have further developed the infrastructure of the spiritual tourism circuit comprising eleven very old hindu temples.
We’ve also started homestay tourism where people can see and live with the villagers, how they live, what they eat, taste local cuisines and also get to know about their local culture. Homestay tourism in Goa has become very popular these days .
Therefore it is giving them a spiritual tranquility since recently it has become a mantra to live a peaceful life, if they want to enjoy their trip on the serene beaches they can or else they can also stay in the home stays located in the picturesque villages.
Therefore with the introduction of a regenerative tourism Goa tourism has started homestay and spiritual tourism.
QUESTION ) Discuss about Goa’s rich cultural heritage , including historical landmarks , unique festivals like Shingoro, Chikal Kala, Bonderam and Potekar etc?
ANSWER) There are a lot of things in Bondaram. There then the Chikaal Khala is celebrated as kalkala in ancient times, this thing heals and wounds, chikal used to treat eye infections .
QUESTION )Can you showcase Goa’s offering beyond its beaches and ecotourism opportunities, adventure and water sports?
ANSWER) So in Goa, we have started a work from going away from the beaches beyond the beaches we got scuba diving. Then in the monsoon, there’s water rafting, which happens in the monsoon, then trekking, which happens in Goa. Also you will have the second, bungee jumping in the country in Goa. There is hot air balloon riding in one place and Goa is also on the verge of helicopter ride now.
These adventure sports are surely attracting the youth and the Gen – X who are more keen in enjoying adventure tourism in the country, and it is growing popular day by day.
QUESTION ) Events for the upcoming tourist season?
ANSWER) Goa is organizing and supporting iron man competition, this is also beyond beaches. Iron men activity includes swimming, cycling and running, and there are more than 4000 participants, the young people participate in Goa. The details of the Iron man Competition are displayed in the websites.
We are eagerly looking for young people to participate in the month of October in Iron Man Competition 2024 held in Panjim.
People can register through the website and it’s just like a not a marathon, but it’s equal to a marathon , you have to run some 2 to 3 km, then swim some kilometres then to the cycling, some kilometres . The fourth edition of Ironmen 70.3 will take place on 27 October 2024.
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