For decades, Goa has been a popular tourist destination. It has expanded its horizons from a 365-days holiday destination to a beach wedding destination, and more recently, to a 'workcation' destination.
There are many layers of tourism yet to be unfolded. As these layers of tourism unfold, here’s how the state has retained its position in the last five years.
A beach wedding destination
People often dream of having a destination wedding, and the next thought that follows is the 'beach' destination. And, a beach is synonymous with Goa. The reason we can say this is because, in the last five years, Goa has seen over 624 beach weddings in the state.
In the year 2017-2018, around 130 weddings were recorded, after which, in the year 2018-2019, there were a total of 102, and the following year 2019-2022, it was around 135.
During the pandemic, Goa saw a reasonable number of around 63 weddings taking place. However, the following year, the numbers picked up and in the year 2021-2022, around 161 weddings took place in Goa.
Some of the most popular beaches that hosted these weddings ceremonies, in South Goa, were Cavelossim, Varca, Benaulim, Utorda, Majorda, Velsao, Colva, Rajbag, Arrosim, Fatrade, among others.
And, in North Goa, the beach destination venues were Bambolim, Baiguinim, Miramar, Ashwem, Candolim, to name a few.
Minister for Tourism, Rohan Khaunte, at the assembly said that various initiatives were being taken by the department to promote Goa as a beach wedding tourism destination.
“We are participating in various international as well as domestic tourism exhibition and events like ‘The Femina India Wedding Expo 2017’, ‘The Femina India Wedding Expo 2018’, both, in London and ‘The National Asian Wedding Show 2019,’ in Manchester, UK,” added Khaunte.
365-days destination
During the tourism season, there is an increase in the number of tourists coming to Goa. It has also been observed that weekends, in the last few years, were the popular periods when tourists came to Goa.
When Minister for Tourism, Rohan Khaunte was asked if there is a spike in domestic tourist on weekends from last year till date, he replied, “Yes, there has been a spike in domestic tourists on weekends as most of the hotels, airlines, restaurants, beaches and clubs etc, ended up running at their full capacity during the weekends.”
Also, the government said that the department along with the GTDC and tourism stakeholders are participating in various international and domestic tourism exhibition and events to promote Goa as a '365 days destination.'
"The department is also participating in international and domestic exhibitions and road shows, and has undertaken digital and print marketing, organised traditional festivals etc to promote Goa as a premier tourist destination," said Khaunte.