Goa glitters with two awards at the  National Tourism Awards: Declared  Best State for  Adventure Tourism, Hits a hat trick with award for  Best State  in Comprehensive Development of Tourism,

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Panjim, Sept 27: Owing to  consistent  efforts  by Goa Tourism Development  Corporation  (GTDC) in   turning Goa into a premium adventure tourism destination during the last 4-5 years,  Goa Tourism  has  received a huge  laurel  at the National Tourism Awards 2019 having bagged the prestigious  award as the  Best State for Adventure Tourism.

In yet another shot in the arm for Goa Tourism,  the State has for the  third consecutive  year bagged the  National Tourism Award for Comprehensive  Development  of Tourism (Rest of India).  This hat-trick of National Tourism  Award  for Comprehensive  Development  of Tourism has been attributed to the  outstanding  performance of  the State in providing amenities,  facilities, new tourism services, initiatives, activities etc for tourists visiting Goa.

The awards were presented  at a glittering function   in the   national capital on  the occasion  of World Tourism Day.  The awards were presented by  the  Hon’ble Vice President of India, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu to the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister  and Tourism Minister, Govt. of Goa , Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar, Chairman, GTDC, Mr. Dayanand Sopte, Secretary Tourism, Govt. of Goa, Mr. J Ashok Kumar and MD, GTDC, Mr. Nikhil Desai. The Union Minister of State  for Tourism, Mr. Prahlad Singh Patel  and  Secretary-General, UNWTO, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili were also present. This  year UNWTO has declared India as a host country for the World Tourism Day celebrations.

The NTA awards have been instituted since 1990 and presented to State governments/UTs and  several other tourism bodies in recognition of their performance in  the respective fields of travel, tourism and hospitality encouraging healthy competition with an aim to promote tourism.

Best State  for Adventure Tourism:  During the last 4-5 years Goa Tourism  through the efforts of Goa Tourism  Development  Corporation  has  introduced a large number of new  tourism services and adventure activities which includes scuba  diving, hot air  balloon rides, hop on hop off luxury double-decker bus tours,  bungee jumping, sea rafting,  electric  bicycle tours,  white water rafting and  eco-trekking  during the monsoons,  cycling tours,  kayaking, off-roading,  motor cross etc. Goa Tourism also has a  coastline  of 105 kms which  is popular for  adventure water sports. All these  draw  tourists to  Goa in  large numbers.  Over the  last few years, adventure tourism has not only  brought  to Goa domestic and  foreign  tourists but has also increased the duration of stay of tourists visiting the  State to avail of the  large number of adventure tourism activities.  The GTDC has also introduced other tourism  activities  which includes Raj Bhavan  Darshan  tours,  tours to Tirupathi, supports activities which  include heritage walks,  bird trails,  boat cruises,  tourism  related  sports activities etc.  Other  segments  that have  also  gained popularity in Goa  with the  introduction  of adventure tourism  includes,  film & fashion   tourism,  wedding  tourism,  wellness tourism,  MICE tourism,  eco-tourism and  hinterland  tourism  etc.

Comprehensive Development  of Tourism:  With  Goa receiving close to Rs. 200 crore  from the  Union  government   under the Swadesh Darshan  Scheme has been  able to  give  a major fillip  to  overall development of tourism  in the State be  it infrastructure development,  commissioning of tourism  projects,  launching of  tourism products and services,  initiatives taken  on  safety and security,  cleanliness and  hygiene, policies, marketing and promotion, events and activities etc. Goa Tourism through GTDC also launched  GoaMiles,  Goa’s  first app based taxi service to   provide transportation  facilities for tourists visiting Goa.  Beach cleaning,  lifeguard services,  parking facilities,  public utility facilities like  toilets,  changing rooms, lockers,  tourist information centers,  good accesses  to tourist locations,  beautification, CCTV surveillance  systems and  a lot more.  Major tourism related infrastructure projects at Morjim, Mayem,  Candolim-Calangute,  Baga have  already  been  commissioned  while several projects like a state-of-the-art Convention Center at Patto, Institute  of  Hotel  Management,  Aguada  Jail Museum  project are underway.

On receiving the National Tourism Awards the Hon’ble  Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism, Govt. of Goa, Mr.  Manohar Ajgaonkar said, “It is truly an honor  for Goa to receive  two prestigious awards and  to increase  its award tally at the prestigious National Tourism  Awards platform. We take pride in noting that we have been recognized as the Best State for Comprehensive Development of Tourism for the third time in a row. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every stakeholder, official and team member who have collectively contributed towards this success. Special mention also goes out to our Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, who has always extended his wholehearted support to the tourism industry in the State. My hearty congratulations   to Mr. Dayanand  Sopte, Chairman  of GTDC   and  his  team  of officials for the hard work  put in  by the  Corporation  and  their contribution  to the development  of tourism  in the State.”

While speaking about the Awards, Mr. Dayanand Sopte, Chairman of Goa Tourism Development  Corporation said, “The National Tourism  Awards  are  very prestigious  and I  am  delighted that Goa  is getting due recognition  for its  efforts in developing the  state as a  tourism  destination.  An award as the Best State for Adventure Tourism is a feather in our cap and  will encourage  the GTDC to launch new and  innovative activities.  I thank the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar, GTDC Board of Directors,   all officials, engineers and partners who have helped us achieve success in all our   plans and projects.”

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