Goa Tourism

Goa minister warns taxi operators after US tourists forced to cancel trip

Goa tourism minister Rohan Khaunte on Friday condemned the incident at Mormugao Port in which some taxi operators refused to allow American tourists to board buses for a sight-seeing trip of the coastal state. He said taxi operators indulging in such kind of incidents will have their permits cancelled. The 100-odd tourists had got down from a cruise ship on Wednesday and had to cancel their sight-seeing trip due to the incident, which also involved taxi operators allegedly assaulting a bus driver. "The incident has created ripples throughout the tourism sector. We will ensure there is no repeat of such incidents. It is the prerogative of the tourists to choose their mode of transport," Khaunte said. "Taxi operators cannot force tourists to use their vehicles. We will move to cancel permits of taxi operators who indulge in such incidents. Post this incident, departments like transport, tourism and police will work closely," he added.

First international cruise ship of current tourist season arrives in Goa

Traditional Goan music played out and flowers were given as tourists disembarked from an international cruise liner in Vasco town on Wednesday, setting the tone for an upbeat tourist season after a long gap as shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic receded. In Goa, where tourism is the mainstay of the economy, the arrival of Viking Mars, the first international cruise ship of the current tourist season, was an occasion to celebrate. As soon as the ship docked at Vasco and 650 tourists disembarked, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar moved forward to lead a traditional welcome. The tourists were given flowers by local women complemented by the beating of drums. "This is the first international cruise ship to arrive in Goa for the current tourist season," a senior state Tourism department official said. He said the state government has been promoting cruise tourism by organising road shows and participating in tourism marts to promote Goa. The peak tourism season in Goa typically stretches from

Ironman 70.3 Goa: Athletes from 33 countries will test endurance on Sunday

1,450 athletes would be participating in the eight-hour triathlon

Illegalities in tourism sector to be tackled: Goa minister Rohan Khaunte

The Goa government will take all efforts to tackle illegalities in the beach belt like unauthorised massage services and touting during the tourist season, state minister Rohan Khaunte said on Thursday. Talking to reporters here, the tourism minister also slammed some of the activists protesting against the state's proposed jetty policy. "The menace of touts and unauthorised people offering massages in the beach belt and certain points in Panaji city is increasing. The tourism department will, if need be, amend the tourism laws to allow police to act against those indulging in such activities," Khaunte said. Asserting that the new jetty policy is aimed at boosting tourism, he said those opposing it are trying to establish their political careers or resurrecting it, while a third group is protesting without even reading the draft. The jetty policy has nothing to do with coal transportation or any other aspect that will affect fishing as alleged by protesters, Khaunte said. The mini

No e-visa facility for UK travellers likely to hit business: Goa tourism

Goa tourism industry stakeholders have said their business is likely to get affected this tourist season due to the withdrawal of e-visa facility for visitors from the United Kingdom. The chartered flights which were supposed to arrive from the UK in October, when the new tourist season commences in Goa, have been postponed to November, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Nilesh Shah said on Tuesday. TTAG is an apex tourism body in the coastal state. The UK no longer falls within the over 150 countries that can access the online tourist e-visa option when travelling to India, which has caused a considerable strain for tourists. Shah said the issuance of e-visas for travellers from the UK had stopped during COVID-19 pandemic. The UK and Russia are two important destinations from where visitors arrive in Goa during the tourist season. As per figures of the Goa tourism department, before the outbreak of COVID-19, around 40,000 tourists used to arrive from the UK .

Water sports policy to benefit tourists, operators of Goa: Tourism Minister

Stating that Goa faces challenges on tourism from Sindhudurg belt and from Karnataka border, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that his department is promoting water sports

NGT dismisses plea of Goa's Curlies nightclub challenging demolition

NGT has upheld the GCZMA order to demolish the alleged illegal structure of Curlies, run by Edwin Nunes -- arrested in the Phogat case

Goa, Nainital in top summer holiday destinations in 2022, says OYO survey

Goa, Nainital, Rishikesh, Gangtok and Mount Abu emerged as the top five favoured family summer holiday destinations for Indians this year, according to a survey by OYO.

Only tourists with both vax doses must be allowed in Goa: Minister

Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar on Thursday said that tourism should be opened once everyone in Goa gets a double vaccine dose

Lockdown to continue in Goa's tourist hotspots: Ports Minister Michael Lobo

Tourist hotspots like Calangute and Candolim in North Goa will continue to be under lockdown, even as the government has lifted lockdown in other parts of the state, Ports Minister Michael Lobo says

All taxis in Goa to have digital fare meters in six months, says state govt

The budget session of the state Assembly is currently underway

Goa tourism department launches crackdown on unregistered hotels

Goa minister Manohar Ajgaonkar on Friday said the tourism department has launched a crackdown on hotels that are operating illegally

Goa suffering badly due to halt in mining, drop in tourism: State minister

Mining, the backbone of Goa's economy, has come to a standstill

India Coronavirus Dispatch: Lockdowns ravage Goa tourism economy

Experts assure safety of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, documents needed for Co-Win app, research on Neanderthal gene, and more-news relevant to India's fight against Covid-19

Goa considering night curfew in view of tourist surge on New Year's Eve

The Goa government is considering imposing a night curfew on the lines of the one imposed in the national capital and in Karnataka

Goa routes dominate domestic flight bookings in Christmas, shows data

Customers continue to book closer to travel date due to uncertainty over travel restrictions imposed by states

UK flight ban due to new Covid strain will impact tourism in Goa: CM Sawant

The suspension of inbound flights from the UK due to the emergence of a new, highly infectious Covid-19 strain, will have an impact on tourism in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said

Goa tourism suffered loss of Rs 2,000-7,200 cr due to coronavirus: Report

Goa's tourism industry may have suffered a loss of between Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 7,200 crore and job losses in the range of 35% to 58% on account of the Covid-19 pandemic

Covid-19 lockdown cost Goa tourism Rs 1,000 crore: Industry group

Covid-19 lockdown has cost Goa's tourism industry Rs 1,000 crore in earnings, GCCI President Manoj Caculo said, and urged the state government to urgently resume mining operations

Goa opens to domestic tourists from July 2, says Manohar Ajgaonkar

Goa, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, has remained shut for travellers since the nationwide coronavirus-induced lockdown was imposed in March.