Category Archives: States

Recently, Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, said that to boost the tourist numbers, “we are endeavouring to showcase Goa’s myriad offerings to foster a deeper understanding of the state’s cultural and natural wealth apart from coastline through green investments, and Goa beyond beaches.”

Ahead of festivals, Prakhar Mishra, Director Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, pointed out that the state is expecting a significant surge in pilgrim arrivals to Ram Lalla Temple, Kashi Vishwanath corridor, and Mathura-Vrindavan corridor. Varanasi alone saw a record-breaking influx of 95.63 lakh pilgrims in March.

The Gujarat tourism department has set aside ₹200 crore to develop special tourism zones (STZ) in the state. These projects will include Dholavira, Shivrajpur, Sir Creek and border areas of Banaskantha, which will be developed as greenfield and brownfield projects in collaboration with private sector.

Around 3,000 meetings took place during GITM 2024 in Goa, where over 500 buyers and 300 sellers engaged in fruitful discussions and negotiations. Discussions were held on how Goa can contribute as a high-yield destination. From leveraging its natural beauty to capitalizing on emerging travel trends, the session provided valuable insights into positioning Goa as a top choice for travellers seeking unforgettable experiences.  

Scheduled for the third quarter of 2024, Accor’s Novotel brand will see its footprint expand to three key cities with the openings of Novotel Goa Panjim, Novotel New Delhi City Centre, and Novotel Bhubaneshwar. This year, the company plans to further diversify its portfolio with six new hotels in three segments.

Goa partners with Yoska Event Solutions LLP to position the state as a premier destination for sports tourism. On this occasion, Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism and Managing Director, GTDC, stated, “Yoska Event Solutions brings valuable resources to the table, enabling Goa to promote sporting events.

With an aim to promote local sellers, the 4th edition of Goa International Travel Mart is all set to commence on 3-4 April at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa. It will also be held virtually from 3-9 April. Suneel Anchipaka, Director Tourism, Goa said, “GITM 2024 aims to redefine Goa’s tourism landscape by focusing on regenerative, spiritual, and hinterland tourism, setting new standards for sustainability and inclusivity. Over 250 national and int’l buyers are part of this year’s event.”

Over the past decade, tourism has embraced sustainability as a strategic pillar. A WTTC report shows that 42% of leading tourism companies globally have set a climate target – either interim, long-term, or both. As sustainable business practices gain traction around the world, companies must increasingly consider the concerns of stakeholders – travellers seeking eco-friendly destinations, and communities concerned about their future.   Tour operators Emissions from tour operators vary across the sector, depending on how asset-light or asset-heavy they are. Some operators express concerns about limitations they encountered regarding infrastructure at destinations, while others are investing in sustainability initiatives. But the current infrastructure and technology at some destinations are not developed enough for those investments to yield results in the short term. For example, some tour operators want to invest in electric buses, but current EV coach battery life is inadequate for longer tours. Travel agencies and OTAs Travel agents — both brick-and-mortar and online — interact with a variety of industry players, from suppliers to destinations, and influence consumer choices. They are well-placed to help the industry achieve its sustainability goals, though these efforts are complicated by the new reporting frameworks. OTAs and travel tech companies more broadly are not easily classified, as they often fall in the software sector rather than tourism. As such, they also lack specific guidance on how to tackle sustainability issues relating to their travel operations. They will likely have to consult sector-based guides, such as for car rental and leasing, hotel and lodging, and airlines. Accommodation One complicating factor for hotel chains is the industry’s range of business models and ownership structures. Many operate under franchise agreements with multiple levels of control, …

Although Goa has been abuzz with tourists October to December, the state’s Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has acknowledged a decline in foreign tourist arrivals in the year gone by. He blamed the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict between Israel and Palestine for this. He has laid out a plan to boost tourist arrivals, which includes projects like the state’s homestay policy, first-of-its-kind regenerative tourism model and commencing caravan tourism.

The India State Ranking Survey published by WTTCII with Hotelivate reveals state expenditure witnessed a 25% growth in 2022-23 compared to 2018-19, capital expenditure on tourism surged by almost 120%, and revenue expenditure increased by 14% during the same period.