NICHE TOURISM SECTOR
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
KEY POLICY TARGETS
KEY INITIATIVES
KEY INCENTIVES
MAJOR CLUSTERS / PARKS
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
The niche tourism sector in Goa is having high scope of investment. The key highlight of this sector is given below:
- Culture and Heritage Tourism: Goa’s unique blend of colonial Portuguese architecture, ancient Hindu temples, and lively festivals are attractions for tourists interested in culture and history.
- Adventure Tourism: Goa offers a wide range of adventure sports, including water-skiing, parasailing, and scuba diving, attracting thrill-seekers from around the world.
- Wildlife Tourism: With several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, such as Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa attracts nature enthusiasts and adventure tourists.
- Ecotourism: The rich biodiversity of Goa, with its lush green forests, waterfalls, and spice plantations, makes it a great destination for ecotourism.
- Wellness Tourism: As the birthplace of Yoga and Ayurveda, Goa is a popular destination for tourists looking for wellness and rejuvenation. Many resorts offer wellness packages that include yoga courses, Ayurvedic treatments, and meditation sessions.
- Beach Tourism: With its 105 km long coastline, offering numerous beautiful and pristine beaches, Goa is a major hotspot for beach, sun, and sand lovers.
- Gastronomy Tourism: Goa’s unique cuisine, a mix of Indian, Portuguese, and other international influences, draws food lovers from around the globe. From beachfront seafood grills to luxurious fine dining, Goa’s gastronomy scene is vibrant and diverse.
- Music and Dance Tourism: Trance parties, Jazz concerts, classical dance performances, and the famous Goa Carnival offer unique experiences for those interested in music and dance.
- Spiritual Tourism: With a plethora of churches, temples, and mosques, and an aura of spiritual tranquillity, Goa is a popular destination for spiritual tourism.
- Shopping Tourism: Goa bustling markets and boutiques with their colourful, handcrafted items like pottery, jewellery, textiles, and spices, offer an attractive draw for shopping enthusiasts.
KEY POLICY TARGETS
The policy focus in the niche tourism sector by the Government of Goa is as follows:
- Niche Tourism Development: The Government of Goa places a significant focus on the development of niche tourism sectors such as eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and cultural tourism. This includes enhancing infrastructure and facilities, promoting local culture, and partnering with various stakeholders.
- Sustainable Tourism: The government has launched initiatives like “Clean Goa, Green Goa” to promote sustainable and responsible tourism. Efforts are made to minimize the negative impact of tourism on the environment and endorse eco-friendly practices among travelers and businesses.
- Safety Measures: Policies are in place to strengthen safety measures including lifeguard services in beaches, improving quality of transport services, and ensuring safe travel experiences for tourists.
- Skills and Capacity Building: The government aims to improve the quality of services in the tourism sector through various training programs. These programs are designed to upskill local people, marking an effort to create more employment opportunities within the state.
- Infrastructure Development: Improving the infrastructure related to tourism is another major target. This includes upgrading airports, enhancing road connectivity, and developing more inviting accommodation facilities including homestays, resorts and budget hotels.
- Increased Investment: The government is striving to attract more private and foreign investment in the tourism sector. The intention is to enhance the overall quality of tourism services and contribute to the state’s economic growth.
- Promotion and Marketing: The government aims to increase the visibility and appeal of Goa as a destination for niche tourism. Strategies include digital marketing campaigns, roadshows, participation in various trade fairs, and partnering with travel agencies.
- Cultural Preservation: Government policies aim to preserve the rich heritage and culture of Goa. This includes the revival and conservation of heritage structures, promotion of Goan arts, music, and cuisine, and organization of cultural festivals.
- Inclusivity: Policies have been geared towards making tourism in Goa more accessible to all. This includes differently abled friendly tourism infrastructure and measures for the socio-economic inclusion of local communities in the tourism industry.
- Wellness Tourism Focus: The government is actively promoting Goa as a wellness tourism destination, capitalizing on the growing global trend for health and wellness travel. This includes promoting yoga, Ayurveda retreats, and encouraging the establishment of wellness centers.
KEY INITIATIVES
The following initiatives are in line with the Government’s vision to develop and promote niche tourism sector and thus Goa as a world-class tourism destination that caters to diverse interests.
- Ecotourism Development: To promote ecotourism, the government has taken initiatives to develop certain areas such as the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park. They have also engaged in efforts to conserve the biodiversity of the region.
- Adventure Tourism: The Government-initiated steps to promote water sports and related activities on beach fronts. Operators are now required to obtain fitness certificates for their boats and adhere to strict safety norms.
- Heritage Tourism: Goa government has been working on conserving and restoring heritage sites and colonial structures. The annual ‘Fontainhas Art Festival’ is part of efforts to preserve and highlight Goa’s unique cultural heritage.
- Health and Wellness Tourism: The government has encouraged the development of Ayurveda, yoga, and spa centers for wellness tourism. The International Yoga Day is observed in Goa with government support.
- Film Tourism: The Entertainment Society of Goa, under the government, organizes the International Film Festival of India, which attracts film enthusiasts from around the world. The government also encourages film shootings, which promote tourism.
- Festival Tourism: The government promotes local festivals as tourist attractions such as the Goa Carnival, Shigmo festival, and the Sao Joao festival.
- Infrastructure Development: The government has launched initiatives to improve the road connectivity to tourist destinations, refurbish historic sites and improve signage across the state.
- Training and Skill Development: The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, in collaboration with the Tourism and Hospitality sector, offers skill development courses for youths under the Capacity Building for Service Providers scheme.
- Responsible Tourism: The government has initiated various campaigns for promoting responsible tourism, including cleanliness drives and sustainable practices.
KEY INCENTIVES
The Government of Goa provides several incentives to aid the growth and development of niche tourism in the state. Here are some of the key incentives:
- Financial Incentives: The government offers subsidized loans, grants, and tax benefits for new projects or for the expansion of existing ones, especially those related to infrastructure development such as hotels, resorts, adventure sports facilities, wellness centres, etc.
- Skill Development: The government sponsors various training and skill development programs for individuals associated with the tourism sector, thus improving the quality of the services provided.
- Marketing Assistance: The government provides marketing and promotional assistance to smaller businesses and individuals involved in offering unique experiences related to local culture, heritage, cuisine, arts, and crafts.
- Regulatory Assistance: The government aids businesses in obtaining required licenses and permits for various activities and operations related to tourism. This includes permits for setting up hotels, spa centres, wellness retreats, water sports facilities, etc.
- Infrastructure Development: The government has been investing in improving the infrastructure including transportation facilities, heritage site preservation, building tourism circuits, and maintaining cleanliness at tourist spots, indirectly benefiting businesses within the tourism sector.
- Green Initiatives: Provides incentives for businesses that adopt sustainable and eco-friendly practices in their operations.
- Ease of Investing: The government facilitates a conductive environment for investments in tourism sector by streamlining processes, developing necessary infrastructure, and providing investment guidance.
These incentives are in line with Goa’s tourism policy that aims to make the state a top-notch destination for niche tourism.
MAJOR CLUSTERS / PARKS
Goa’s tourism offerings are divided into various specific clusters and parks that cater to niche interests. Here are some of the major ones:
- Beach Clusters: Goa is renowned for its beautiful beaches, each having its unique character. North Goa beaches like Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, and Candolim are famous for water sports and nightlife. South Goa beaches like Colva, Benaulim, Majorda, and Agonda are known for their serene beauty.
- Wildlife Parks: The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary are major attractions for nature and wildlife enthusiasts.
- Heritage Clusters: Old Goa, with its churches like Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral, forms a significant heritage cluster. Goa also has a series of forts like Aguada Fort, Chapora Fort, and Cabo de Rama Fort which are notable heritage sites.
- Spice Plantations: Located in Ponda, the Sahakari Spice Farms and the Tropical Spice Plantation offers a unique experience for those interested in agro-tourism.
- Adventure Parks: Goa offers numerous adventure parks and activity centers including Atlantis Water Sports for water activities, Gravity Adventure Zone for bungee swinging, and Froggyland for recreational water-based fun.
- Cultural Clusters: The villages of Fontainhas and Mala are known for their Portuguese-era buildings. They form a significant cultural cluster.
- Art and Craft Village: The Art and Craft Village conceptualized by Goa Tourism Development Corporation in Merces is a perfect stopover for those who admire Goan culture, art, and craft.
- Wellness Centers: Many yoga retreats and Ayurvedic healing centres are spread across the state, particularly in the quieter, less-touristic areas like Assagao and Mandrem.
Each cluster caters to varied types of tourists, from nature lovers and adventure seekers to history buffs, wellness enthusiasts, and foodies.