Goa State (India) attracts tourists from festivals and green destinations

Cultural and landscape features

Goa is an Indian state located in the Konkan coastal region of Western India. With its rich landscapes, white sandy beaches, delicious cuisine and rich culture, Goa always fascinates visitors when they come here.

Deeply rooted in the local culture, the Chikhal Kalo mud festival in Goa attracts a large number of domestic and foreign tourists and is a major part of the state’s tourism industry. Apart from the beaches, casinos and nightclubs that have long been the state’s traditional attractions, the state of Goa is planning to promote the festival, its idyllic villages and historic temples to tap into sustainable tourism opportunities.

Ghode Modni folk dance in Goa, India. Photo: Handout

Most visitors who come here love the simplicity and rusticity of these beaches. The pristine, poetic and extremely quiet beaches give visitors an indescribable sense of peace.

The local government has launched a “renewable tourism” initiative to showcase Goa’s less- explored hinterlands and attract emerging tourist segments such as eco-tourists.

"Goa is known for its sun and sea. People come here for its beautiful and famous coastline. We need to ensure that things start changing. The main idea behind this initiative is to not only care for the environment but also the character, culture and traditions of Goa. We want to energize the entire tourism ecosystem not with a commercial mindset but with a human connection to the destination," said Rohan Kaunte, Goa's tourism minister.

Goa is on track to achieve its eco-tourism development goals, said Suneel Anchipaka, representative of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.

According to Anchipaka, Goa is an ideal eco-tourism destination thanks to its diverse ecosystem, from the vibrant forests of the Western Ghats to the tranquil waters and lush mangrove vegetation along the riverbanks.

Besides, Goa's diverse culture, architecture and cuisine - with thousands of years of history - are also highlights that attract tourists.

Ralph de Sousa, a veteran travel expert in Goa, believes that Westerners are more inclined towards nature. These tourists want the opportunity to experience better and more peaceful pastures.

“The news that paradise exists in Goa has always been enough to satisfy the desires of tourists and a large influx of tourists has started coming to Goa,” added Ralph de Sousa.

Long-term destination

Famous for its beautiful, pristine beaches, the Indian state of Goa is gradually asserting itself as one of the most developed tourist states in India.

Over time, Goa became an important destination for explorers to embark on an epic journey across the continent by means of transport.

“There is a driving route that has become a trend for many tourists wanting to reach Goa. Tourists travel from Europe through Türkiye, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, eventually reaching Goa in India. Families have also started arriving, bringing food and clothes,” de Sousa said.

Some tourists have even become traders in Goa’s markets, Mr. de Sousa added. They want to immerse themselves in the local cuisine and culture, and then stay there for the long term.

In recent years, Goa's stunning coastline has become a venue for full moon parties, where revellers gather to light candles and attend events featuring musicians and authors from around the world.

Besides, another new attraction being promoted by the government is Chikhal Kalo, a mud festival that bears a resemblance to Spain's La Tomatina, where locals can relive Lord Krishna's childhood memories by smearing himself with oil and playing in the mud.

Tourism remains the key industry in Goa to this day, contributing over 16% to the state's economy and employing 35% of the population.

On average, a total of 9 million foreign tourists and millions of domestic tourists visit Goa every year. With the continued recovery of global tourism, the tourism industry in the state of Goa is gradually recovering to pre-Covid-19 levels.

As part of its plan to boost tourism infrastructure, the Goa state government is also enhancing air connectivity, renovating major religious sites and opening up more green spaces for tourists.

Parag Rangnekar, a wildlife enthusiast and member of the Goa tourism board, suggested that the Goa government should promote sustainable resource management and expansion activities to prevent ecological degradation and protect local communities. While tourism infrastructure is necessary, local issues such as water security need to be considered, Rangnekar said./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/bang-goa-an-do-hut-khach-du-lich-tu-le-hoi-va-diem-den-xanh-20240413230438807.htm