To concise the many plans you have into just one day is not only next to impossible, but also comes along with the guilt of not lingering just a moment longer while enjoying your favourite activity. And, Goa's Department of Tourism has had the same thought.
With ‘World Tourism Day’ on September 27, Goa has, this year, decided to embrace this day just a little longer than the rest, with activities and fun starting from September 24 onwards.
“This year, unlike other years, we have created a series of events which will be effective from September 24, onwards,” explains Director of Tourism, Suneel Anchipaka.
Goa Tourism Department is teaming up with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) and SKAL international Goa, to celebrate this year’s World Tourism Day on the theme ‘Tourism and Peace’.
“With the focus primarily being directed toward regenerative tourism, we are going to explore Goa beyond beaches, and focus on the hinterlands, wellness tourism and adventure tourism,” he adds.
Shedding his valuable insights, president of TTAG, Jack Sukhija explains, “The aim of regenerative tourism is that most of the income generated by tourism is directed towards the local community, local cuisine is promoted."
"Our cultural and natural resources are used in such a way that there are benefits for everyone, and they are maintained and most importantly, there is an aim for redirection,” adds.
DAY 1: SEPTEMBER 24
The activities are open to all and will kickstart on September 24, with:
A cooking contest, called Goencho Swaad, which will be held at the Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition (IHM), Porvorim.
The contest is open to home bakers, professionals as well as students. There will also be a coffee table book launch on Goan cuisine.
DAY 2: SEPTEMBER 27
With September 27 being the main day, there will be three immersive heritage activities which include:
‘The Retracing Monte Santo Walk’, which is a holy hill walk conducted by the Museum of Christian Art (MoCA) from 9 am to 12 noon. The meeting point will be Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Old Goa.
'The Mapusa Heritage Walk' by Soul Travelling from 9 am to 11.30 pm. The meeting point will be the Mapusa taxi stand.
'The Saligao Village Saunter' by Make it Happen from 4.30 pm to 6 pm. The meeting point will be Mae de Deus Church, Saligao.
In addition to this, there will also be:
A boat ride for differently-abled children, which has been taking place for over two and a half decades.
Conducted by the TTAG Vice President, Akash Madgaonkar, who is also the pioneer of boat cruises in Goa, the cruise has been organised in collaboration with Rotary Club, Panjim, and will take over 150 children with special needs on a boat ride across the River Mandovi.
Aside from this, a stakeholder meet will be held on this day at the Nandanvan Spice Plantation, at Opa, with the expectation of 600 plus people.
DAY 3: SEPTEMBER 28
Carrying on, September 28 will wake up to another heritage walk by Soul Travelling, called:
‘The life of Pao’ at 2 pm. The walk will take attendees to the village of Majorda in South Goa.
DAY 4: SEPTEMBER 29
Culminating the events, September 29 will include:
A walk at Tambdi Surla by Parag Rangnekar from Mrugaya Xpeditions.
A jungle trail called ‘Jungle Chill’ by Adventure Breaks at Tambdi Surla.
A temple trail to Marcel by Make It Happen which will begin at 9 am.
“They say that one of the mantras of regenerative tourism is to ‘leave footprints, take back memories and leave a destination better than it was,” smiles Jack.
Here’s hoping that Goa and the people visiting it will do the same!
REGISTER AT: https://www.ttag.in/