The State recorded 18 per cent increase in tourists during the three months against the number of tourist arrivals during the same period in 2013, said a Goa Tourism spokesperson here on Thursday.
Speaking to presspersons, Goa Tourism Minister, Dilip Parulekar, attributed this rise to the introduction of safety and security measures and awareness created on hinterland, culture, monsoon and pilgrim tourism through rigorous marketing initiatives. These initiatives include domestic and international road shows, exhibitions, among others.
For instance, the white water rafting, which can be experienced in Goa only during monsoon, was a big success along with Goa InstaWalk, a walking tour for bloggers and influencers from across the country. They were given an opportunity to showcase their passion for photography while experiencing the cultural and natural aspects of Goa. This was conducted in June and August at Tambdi Surla and Arvalem waterfalls.
Traditional Goan festivals such as ‘Sao Joao’ celebrated at the onset of the monsoon season by Catholics, ‘Bonderam,’ the flag festival celebrated in a carnival atmosphere on the fourth Saturday of August every year at Divar Island in north Goa, further attracted tourists due to promotional efforts of Goa Tourism.
The State has witnessed the highest percentage of tourist arrivals during the monsoon which was earlier considered an off-season. This confirms Goa tourism’s marketing and promotional efforts are paying off well to draw in tourists during the season, argues Mr. Ameya Abhyankar, Director, Department of Tourism, Goa.
“Rebranding and re-positioning of brand Goa as a land of all seasons, and capitalizing on the fact that Goa is the world’s only tourist destination with the maximum contrasts in the smallest geographical space, further notched up the numbers of tourists in the State during monsoon,” said Mr. Abhyankar.
