Goa beyond sun & sand

Goa is going through a facial change by exploring new tourism segments, reveals Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, IT, Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa.

Nisha Verma

Goa is trying to portray an image beyond the sun, sand and sea, for which it’s known for, reveals Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, IT, Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa. “We need to move a little differently. Looking at the way the travellers have been thinking and the choices they make, we are adding software, and are uniquely getting a model of co-working spaces on the beach. This would allow a person to come as a digital nomad and enjoy a Goa vocation—a concept that was introduced during COVID. There are many companies which are sending people in various parts of Goa to make use of creative space and work. We are trying to tap this segment. Also, we want to promote tech-tourism, where somebody can work, surf, or do water sports, and come back to do their work,” he shared.

Away from the usual

He added, “Goa is very beautiful throughout the year. We have eco-tourism, which we have started on a big scale. We are moving into the hinterlands, trying to gather local communities, which will touch upon the homestay segment. Also, we are looking at wellness, adventure, as well as spiritual tourism. We are trying to add many more things to sell goa throughout the year. We have already started tapping all these segments through various policies. Within a year, we can showcase Goa in a different light, and the Government of India (GoI) under Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD schemes, has been instrumental in giving us the backbone to the vision we carry.”