Panaji: Dubai has become the first priority of the high-spending Russian tourists instead of Goa when it comes to vacation, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte told the state assembly on Friday.
Khaunte emphasized the need to understand the shifting trends in outbound tourism and learn from successful markets like the USA, UAE, Germany, South Korea, and Japan, where outbound tourism is thriving.
He pointed out that Goa should follow the examples set by destinations like Saudi Arabia, which have witnessed growth through new tourism services and projects.
Khaunte expressed concern over the decline in high-spending Russian tourists visiting Goa, stating that they now prefer destinations like Dubai.
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He stressed on the importance of analyzing the reasons behind this shift and identifying what went wrong to divert tourists from Goa to other places.
To attract more tourists, Khaunte highlighted the significance of the Manohar International Airport at Mopa, Goa’s second airport.
He and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant plan to meet Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the Assembly session to request designating the new airport as a point of call for international flights.
Khaunte emphasized the need to diversify Goa’s tourism offerings beyond its beaches, aiming to ensure economic growth and create employment opportunities. He cited Kerala as a successful example of focusing on “quality over quantity” when it comes to tourist arrivals.
The state is also developing a nautical tourism policy to increase the number of cruise ships visiting Goa by leveraging the proximity of the port and airport at Vasco.
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Responding to a question by Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, Khaunte mentioned that Goa is actively participating in domestic travel shows to promote Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative, aimed at encouraging domestic tourism and exploring India’s diverse destinations.
