Promoting Goa Tourism During the Monsoon Season
Rohan A. Khaunte chaired a meeting with key industry players including the Director of Tourism Kedar Naik (virtually present), GTDC Managing Director Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, TTAG President Jack Sukhija, and various travel partners to set out a strategy to promote Goa during the upcoming monsoon season.
The session aimed to drive growth by discussing a robust PR and marketing strategy to position Goa as a premier travel destination. Highlights included launching a unified hashtag for digital marketing and a 20-week campaign themed around unique aspects of Goa.
The stakeholders, especially hoteliers, were urged to create attractive packages correlating with the campaign’s themes. There was emphasis on clearly defining the roles of government and industry stakeholders for successful collaboration.
Minister’s Remarks: “We’ve spent the past weeks aligning with our airline and OTA partners, including players like Airbnb and Agoda, to craft a robust tourism roadmap—particularly for the monsoon. Despite the temporary slowdown following recent events, we entered the first quarter of 2025 with strong indicators in terms of business and numbers. While some sectors have taken a step back because of the recent Pahalgam Attack, Goa continues to stay committed.”
Focusing on the ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ initiative, the Minister outlined the importance of diverse experiences during the monsoon, promoting various cultural activities. The campaign aims to increase visitor stay lengths and draw high-spending tourists by enhancing cooperation between airlines, OTAs, and local hospitality partners.
Concerns were expressed regarding misleading representations of Goa in online marketing, and plans were made to regulate advertising that does not reflect the true essence of the state. A meeting will occur this week to finalize the monsoon campaigns and strategic initiatives.
The Minister reaffirmed that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, efforts will ensure that the tourism sector flourishes through meaningful experiences and effective storytelling. Everyone loves Goa—and the state just needs to ensure the world sees it in the right light.
