Goa stays ahead in tech race

Nikhil Desai, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), believes that Goa Tourism has been contributing immensely to the digital transformation of the country’s travel sector.

TT Bureau

For Goa Tourism, the last one year has seen a record-breaking growth. Agreeing to this is Nikhil Desai, who says, “We have witnessed a growth of over 17 per cent and the arrivals have been touching an all-time high, both from the domestic as well as international sector.”

Desai revealed that the state is constantly adding several new products to its portfolio of offerings. “New adventure products include hot air balloon, scuba diving and amphibious vessels. Recently we have also introduced a first-of-its-kind tourist taxi app, run by Goa Tourism Board. As Ola or Uber do not ply in Goa, we have decided to come up with Goa Miles, an app-based system in which we don’t charge anything from the driver. It is getting stabilised right now. During the current season, we are very optimistic that tourists will make full use of it. Apart from that, double-decker hop-on-hop-off bus services, sky diving and a host of other products are in the offing. New properties are being launched in quick succession. The charter season also looks good. Now, Goa is also set to get excellent cruise liners. This season is looking up and we are optimistic of another double-digit growth in the coming year,” he elucidated.

The first ropeway project is underway under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Around three to four hotels are being developed along with the Mopa International Airport

Digital transformation is key for any tourism board to move ahead in the race, says Desai. “Goa Tourism has been leveraging a lot of digital initiatives. We are one of the most digitally advanced boards in this country and our efforts are underway to make it even better in the days to come,” he revealed.

The state is also working closely with the private sector. “The first ropeway project is underway under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Around three to four hotels are being developed through the private sector. The Mopa International Airport is going to be one of the biggest airports in the country through PPP.
We are also in talks for a large convention and film tourism facility being developed at Dona Paula on PPP mode. There are plans to develop a theme park under PPP again. A lot of initiatives are underway for the same,” Desai concludes.