March - April 2018

A Goa Tourism Newsletter

Vol 3 Issue 20

@TourismGoa www.facebook.com/officialgoatourism

www.goatourism.gov.in | www.goa-tourism.com

November - December 2018

A Goa Tourism Newsletter

Vol 3 Issue 24

www.facebook.com/officialgoatourism

www.goatourism.gov.in | www.goa-tourism.com

@TourismGoa

The Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar for speeds up to 25 kmph and electronic disc brakes for and Hon’ble Chairman of GTDC, Mr. Dayanand Sopte enhanced safety. The tourists and locals can now explore launched India’s first electric vehicle tourism initiative in Goa in a clean and non-polluting way. In order to execute the Panjim. Present at the event included Board of Directors of new initiative E Hubs have been made of recycled shipping GTDC, officials from the Department of Tourism & GTDC and containers to serve as charging points and tourist community other dignitaries. centers. These are solar powered, eco friendly, smart hubs

which offers Free Wi-Fi, tourist services and an insider guide The ‘Electric Vehicle’ (EV) tourism initiative of Goa Tourism to Goa. Smart & digitally connected electric cycles have Development Corporation through B: Live in partnership with been deployed for the tours and rental purpose at major Arcis Tours Pvt Ltd is a significant step towards sustainable tourist destinations ensuring the safety of the passenger. tourism giving tourists an all new medium to explore and Curated experiential tours which provide an authentic and experience Goa in an eco-friendly and trendy style. immersive experience of Goa with the help of a local tour

buddy have been chalked out.Arcis Tours Pvt Ltd is the pioneer of ‘Electric Vehicle Tourism’ in India and has partnered with GTDC to build the country’s To begin with the battery operated cycle first EV Tourism ecosystem. B: Live, offers the joy of effortless tours will be available for tourists to explore riding on E-bikes while exploring the local culture, history Panjim, Fontainhas and Divar.and heritage of Goa. These E-bikes are equipped with state-of-the-art features like GPS trackers, battery powered motor

Goa Tourism launches India’s first Electric Vehicle Tourism Initiative

Goa Tourism at it’s Best: Awards by India Today and Conde Nast Traveller India hailed by Ajgaonkar & SopteHon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar & Chairman GTDC Mr. Dayanand Sopte have hailed Goa Tourism’s achievements which has brought laurels to the State from none other than India Today and Conde Nast Traveller India.

Goa recently shone in India Today’s performance rankings at the State of the States Conclave 2018 where Goa bagged the Best Performing Small State award in tourism and Most Improved Small State award in tourism.

Again, Goa Tourism has won an award as the Favourite Indian Leisure Destination 2018 at the eighth edition of Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards.

And earlier in the month of November, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation also received an Excellence Award 2018 by Goibibo MMT.

Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar expressing delight over the galore of awards said, “I am extremely happy that Goa is bagging several prestigious awards in different sphere’s of tourism be it for its facets, infrastructure development, comprehensive tourism

development. After I took over as Minister for Tourism, I had assured to see that Goa Tourism will shine on all platforms and the awards are a endorsement of all the initiatives that are progressing effectively and successfully. I congratulate all our stakeholders, officers and Goans for their continued support and I wish Goa Tourism many more awards in the new year too. There were many awards bagged by Goa Tourism this year which also included the National Tourism Award as Best State in the category of Comprehensive Development of Tourism (Rest of India). Goa Tourism is now a big brand and we will keep the faith to continue evolving and shining in the months to come.”

Mr. Dayanand Sopte, Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation said, “Ever since I took

over as Chairman of GTDC I have been studying and assessing all the works undertaken by the Corporation. I see a lot of achievements and am enthused to continue with the processes in place that is helping tourism evolving. It will be my endeavour to ensure that GTDC contributes in the best way so that we shine on all platforms not only now but in the new year too.”

Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Hon. Power Minister and Chairman GTDC inaugurated an Information and facilitation counter of Goa Tourism Development Corporation at Goa Niwas Chanakyapuri in November 2018 in the presence of Dy. Resident Commissioner D.C. Gupta, GTDC PRO Deepak Narvekar, Krishna Kamat official of GHRSSIDC and staff at Goa Niwas.

“Good rail, road and air connectivity from Delhi Speaking at the inaugural function in the to Goa has made it easier for tourists to travel national capital, Mr. Cabral said, “The new distances in the shortest time span and enjoy Tourist Information Counter will provide maximum even if it is a short halt holiday,” information of Goa Tourism services and Mr. Cabral said.facilities and will be disseminated to the visitors He emphasized on festival tourism in Goa which and guests from Delhi and nearby areas. He showcases Goa’s rich heritage, culture, cuisine further said that GTDC receives a lot of enquiries and a lot more.from guests and people from Delhi.

The Minister for Power and Chairman of GTDC “With the opening of this counter, guests will be who has been instrumental in rolling out new facilitated and Goa tourism brochures ,CDs and and innovative initiatives under his Chairman-other publicity material will be displayed at the ship expressed confidence that tourists in the counter for the information of the public.national capital will take advantage of the Besides this, information on various festivals information counter set up by GTDC and will be will also be available at the counter,” said enthused to visit Goa which is now a 365 day Mr. Cabral.holiday destination focused on safety and

Goa Tourism receives a large number of tourist security of tourists, new activities, cleanliness to Goa from Delhi and neighbouring States and more.especially during the festival season which is already underway in Goa.

Power Minister & Chairman GTDC inaugurates GTDC information counter at Goa Niwas, New Delhi

GTDC organizes special boat cruise for young cancer patients from Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai.Children undergoing treatment at Tata Cancer Research Memorial Hospital, Mumbai enjoyed a Special Cruise on Santa Monica on River Mandovi organized by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.

A total of 28 children suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, arrived along with their parents in Goa on a three-day excursion.

As part of their holiday, they visited temples, churches, forts, beaches and enjoyed a boat cruise on River Mandovi.

The cruise was organized by GTDC following a special request from Union Minister for Ayush, Mr. Shripad Naik

GTDC Sr. Manager & PRO, Mr. Deepak Narvekar extended a warm welcome to the children and their parents on board Santa Monica. The OSD to Union Minister for Ayush, Mr. Suraj Naik, GTDC Asst. Manager - Cruises, Mr. Surendra Sawant, GTDC officials Ms. Manisha Shiroda and Mr. Nilesh Naik Desai were present and helped in co-ordinating the activities on board Santa Monica. Staff and volunteers from Tata Memorial Hospital were also present.

Ms.Swati Mhatre, Jr. P.R.O and Mr. Santosh Sherwade, Asst adm officer public relations Tata Memorial hospital accompanied along with other officials of the hospital.

The GTDC also extended all hospitality to the visiting children.

Chairman of GTDC, Mr. Dayanand Sopte also extended wholehearted support and ensured that the children were provided a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

GTDC organizies Special Diwali Eve Boat Cruise on 5th NovTo set the Diwali festivities into motion, Goa Tourism Development Corporation along with Department of Tourism organized a special Diwali Eve Boat Cruise on board Santa Monica on Monday, 5th November from 8.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.

An event packed fun-filled programmes with traditional dances performances, music, spot prizes, games and a lot more kept the tourists entertained and enthused.

Some of the highlights of the evening included traditional dances, the Ostrich Act, an interactive Diwali Act, the Goan Shigmo Act, DJ music and more.

Tourists also got a glimpse of the capital city along Mandovi River which was decked up with lights and lanterns for Diwali adding more splendor and delight.

Photo feature on Narkasura parades

Photo feature on Tripurari Poornima

@TourismGoa www.facebook.com/officialgoatourism

Department of TourismParyatan Bhavan, 2nd Floor, Patto Plaza,Panaji-Goa, India 403001T: 0832-2494200 / 2494204 F: 0832-2494227E: dir-tour.goa@nic.inwww.goatourism.gov.in

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