The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, recently held a high-level meeting at Paryatan Bhavan, Panjim. The meeting aimed to reinforce Goa’s standing as a top tourism destination.
Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, chaired the meeting. Key officials present included Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism; Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director of GTDC; Shri Shawn Mendes, OSD to the Minister; along with senior members of the tourism industry and the Goa Tourism Board.
In his opening speech, Minister Khaunte stressed the need for timely and well-structured engagement with stakeholders. He linked this to recent national and regional events that could affect tourism.
Referring to the Pahalgam incident in Kashmir, he said, “The Prime Minister responded quickly and firmly through Operation Sindoor. As a tourism-dependent state, we must assess how such events affect travel confidence. Today’s meeting is not just about current issues. It is about building long-term resilience. We want to move beyond policy reviews to active adjustments that match the real situation on the ground. Goa’s greatest strength is its people. Every Goan is a stakeholder, an influencer, and an ambassador for tourism.”
Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik emphasized the Department’s commitment to listen and support all stakeholders. “We want every voice to be heard — from hotels and homestays to digital platforms and community operators. Goa Tourism belongs to all of them. Our policies must be inclusive, flexible, and ready for implementation.”
The Department also shared positive data. Tourist arrivals in Goa grew by 10.5% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. Numbers increased from 2,580,155 in Q1 2024 to 2,851,554 in Q1 2025. Although arrivals dipped slightly in April, overall confidence remains high. The Department is working on targeted plans to handle seasonal and market changes.
The meeting included full-day sectoral and plenary sessions. These discussions showed the Government’s focus on cooperative governance. They reviewed the past season’s performance and prepared for new challenges related to geopolitics, economics, and strategy. The sessions confirmed Goa Tourism’s commitment to foresight and resilience.
Concerns raised during this and earlier meetings have been summarized. Soon, the Hon’ble Chief Minister will lead an interdepartmental meeting. This will aim to coordinate responses and find lasting solutions to the challenges faced.
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