The Minister of Tourism, Govt. of Goa, Rohan A. Khaunte, held the 11th Empowered Committee Meeting in the distinguished presence of Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism Goa, Girish Kulkarni, Founder of Temple Connect and the members of the empowered committee, to announce the state's plan to establish Goa as a premier spiritual destination by highlighting various efforts made by the Department of Tourism, Goa wherein visitors from all over the world could seek spiritual experiences across the state. The meeting took place in Panjim.
Khaunte stated “Today (September 29) the 11th Committee Meeting took place with a main focus on Marketing and Public Relations to ensure that people who visit can see the spiritual side of Goa along with wellness activities. Direct flights from Mopa Airport for locations such as Uttarakhand, Dehradun, Nagpur, and Guwahati will bridge the travel divide between Uttarkashi and Dakshin Kashi, to enhance tourism and connectivity and will attract more tourists in Goa.”
Khaunte also announced a conclave in October will be organized that will serve as a platform for engaging with influencers and stakeholders in the tourism industry. This conclave aims to build meaningful connections and foster collaboration to develop spiritual circuits, including yoga, wellness, and other spiritual experiences.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Govt. of Goa and Temple Connect, a prominent organization dedicated to promoting Spiritual Tourism. In celebration of the upcoming Shiv Jayanti festival, plans were revealed to organize the festival in six cities across the state. This festival will showcase the rich cultural heritage of Goa and attract visitors from near and far.
The involvement of Youth, Yuva Tourism Clubs, and students in promoting and preserving Goa's spiritual identity was highlighted. He emphasized the significance of engaging the younger generation in maintaining the authenticity and sanctity of the state's temples and spiritual sites. In a bid to also promote Sports Tourism, Khaunte mentioned the possibility of hosting Commercial sponsorship for Ironman 70.3 based on the great response received. Through this, the Government aims to boost sports tourism and attract athletes and sports enthusiasts from around the world to participate and witness these events.