Monday, April 2, 2018
Ms. Carmine D’ Costa (Information Assistant), Department of Tourism, Government of Goa exclusively speaks to Travel And Tour World at ITB Berlin 2018 on Tourism Board’s strategies in promoting Goa as the most preferred destination in foreign and domestic markets.
Travel And Tour World: Tell me about your plans for 2018 tourism season
Ms. Carmine D’ Costa: Goa tourism is feeling positive for the growth of tourism in 2018 season. For this, we are lining-up some number of events, where are promoting our state. We will cover some of the international events like IFTM in France, ITB Asia in Singapore, World Travel Mart in London, ITB and MITT in Russia.
Travel And Tour World: As Goa is a hot destination in the international arena, which countries in Europe are your main target to promote your state in term of inbound tourists?
Ms. Carmine D’ Costa: The foreign tourists in Goa are contributing more to the state economy, we are promoting Goa and its destinations to the European countries like United Kingdom, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Finland and Switzerland.
Travel And Tour World: Which are the states in India you are promoting for domestic tourists?
Ms. Carmine D’ Costa: Goa is one of the most exciting destinations among Indians also. We are promoting our state to West Bengal, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Goa is also considered as the best weekend destination in western India. We are promoting Goa as the weekend destination filled with some adventurous activities.
Travel And Tour World: How are you planning for the accommodations, as it is in the news that Goa is taking old Portuguese mansions and houses for the stays.
Ms. Carmine D’ Costa: There is a cornucopia of accommodation options available in Goa. Goa Tourism has the number of guest houses offering all the modern facilities to make your stay happy and secured. We also took many Portuguese and colonial houses and mansions for a perfect stay highlighting the Portuguese tradition, heritage and architecture.
Travel And Tour World: As India is an emerging destination in MICE tourism, how are you preparing Goa to project as MICE destination?
Ms. Carmine D’ Costa: We are working to project Goa as a MICE tourism destination. You know that Goa’s MICE segment of tourism is growing mostly in the domestic arena.
Travel And Tour World: Can you tell us some of the exciting things in Goa for weekend vacation?
Ms. Carmine D’ Costa: Goa offers many exciting activities to enjoy. Goa is preferred by both domestic and foreign tourists. In the beaches, you can enjoy the water sports activities like scuba diving, rafting, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddle boarding and surfing. While on the other contrary, you can also visit the waterfalls, art galleries, museums like Wax Museum, colonial-era churches in Old Goa and ancient temples like Mangueshi Temple.
Travel And Tour World: What we can expect something special from Goa?
Ms. Carmine D’ Costa: Goa is filled with night and flea market. Here the energetic night market is one of the popular attractions where you can buy the Goan handicrafts and textiles. You can also taste best Goan desserts (Channa Doce, Coconut Ice, Perad) and Goanese cuisines like the seafoods and fish curry rice.
