TBM Staff - Mumbai Rohan A. Khaunte, Minister of Tourism, Government of Goa, has announced the plan to establish the state as a premier spiritual destination by highlighting various efforts made by the Department of Tourism wherein visitors from all over the world could seek spiritual experiences across Goa. He made this announcement at the 11th Empowered Committee Meeting in the presence of Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism Goa, Girish Kulkarni, Founder of Temple Connect and the members of the empowered committee.
Khaunte stated, “Today 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.”
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Government 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 organise 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.
Furthermore, Khaunte announced a conclave in October 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.
The involvement of Youth, Yuva Tourism Clubs, and students in promoting and preserving Goa’s spiritual identity was highlighted. He emphasised 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.
Girish Kulkarni, Founder of Temple Connect, stated “Digitising content about temples and organizing events can help in documenting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of these sacred places. It also opens up new opportunities to showcase smart temple management practices and create awareness about the importance of temple conservation. By promoting exposure to important temples and historic sites, we can encourage tourism and contribute to the development of infrastructure and ecosystem in Goa. Additionally, increasing engagement through various activities can attract more visitors, thus boosting footfall to Goa.”
