June 3, 2016 TnH Global 0

Goa set for new tourism ties with Croatia, Iceland and Israel

Chairman of GTDC Mr. Nilesh Cabral interacts with Indian Ambassador to the three countries
Goa Tourism invited to organize road shows and send Goan icons to promote tourism facets
Exchange ideas on promotion of Carnaval, Goan cuisine, Cultural tourism, pilgrimage tourism, heritage and hinterland tourism, fashion tourism and more on the anvil

Indian Ambassadors to Croatia, Iceland and Israel have extended an invitation to Goa to promote its tourism facets which will boost travel and trade ties between this State and theirs in the coming future.

Interacting with the Hon’ble MLA & Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) on Wednesday, all three Indian Ambassadors expressed the desire of promoting Goa Tourism in their respective countries in the wake of several commonalities of various aspects on the tourism front.

Welcoming the initiatives for an exchange of tourism ties between Goa and Croatia, Iceland and Israel, Mr. Cabral elaborated on new tourism activities and initiatives recently launched by Goa Tourism that would interest the three countries. Mr. Cabral also impressed on Goa Tourism’s efforts made to augment tourism infrastructure, safety measures and hygiene for tourists visiting Goa.

Mr. Cabral said, “We would also like travel and tour operators from Croatia, Iceland and Israel to visit Goa to witness and experience the various tourism facets so that they go back and enthuse their nationals to visit this State. Goa is now a 365 day tourist destination. We have recently launched a new interactive Website and Mobile App which enables tourists to access information on Goa and plan their vacations accordingly at the click of a button.”

The three Indian Ambassadors were also shown a brief documentary film on Goa Tourism giving insights on the State’s bountiful aspects. Mr. Sandeep Kumar, Ambassador of India to Croatia said, “Croatia wants to expand its tourism sector and we are looking at an exchange of concrete ideas in promotion of tourism and cultural ties between Croatia and Goa and furthering it with business retreats and investment opportunities in Goa and India.”

Mr. Rajiv Kumar Nagpal, Ambassador of India to Iceland said, “We see a huge prospect of collaborations on the tourism front between Goa and Iceland with focus on cuisine and food considering the fact that there is a sizeable Indian population in Iceland.”

Mr. Pavan Kapoor, Ambassador of India to Israel said, “There is a lot of commonality between Israel and Goa with regards to pilgrimage and heritage tourism and we can collaborate on these aspects to further tourism ties between the two sides.”

Representatives from the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) were also present for the interaction session where several suggestions and ideas were shared on promoting tourism and cultural ties between Goa and the three countries. Insights were also given into monsoon tourism and night life in Goa.

Also present for the interaction session was Director of Tourism, Mr. Sanjeev C. Gauns Dessai, Director of Agriculture, Mr. U.B. Pai Kakode, OSD- Dept of Tourism, Mr. Arvind Khutkar, Deputy Director, Mr. Rajesh Kale, Assistant Tourist Officer, Ms. Fernanda Vales, Deputy General Manager GTDC, Mr. Gavin Dias, PRO GTDC, Mr. Deepak Narvekar and others.

The delegation from TTAG was led by Advocate Francisco De Braganca. Members from the SLMPC included Mr. Ralph D’souza, Mr. Gaurish Dhond and Mr. Sanjeev Mendes and GTDC BoD members included Mr. Jayant Jadhav and Captain James Braganza.

The Director of Agriculture, Mr. U.B. Pai Kakode was also present and shared views of promotion of horticulture and floriculture between Goa and Israel. Mr. Gavin Dias earlier welcomed the distinguished dignitaries and presented GoaTourism mementoes to them.