Tourism in Goa

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From Top left to right: Goan beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Mangueshi Temple, Fort Aguada, A Portuguese house in Fontainhas, Chapora River, Backwaters of Goa

The state of Goa, in India, is famous for its beaches and places of worship. Tourism is its primary industry, and is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with decreased tourist activity inland.

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Foreign tourists, mostly from Europe, arrive in Goa in winter, whilst the summer and monsoon seasons see many Indian tourists. Goa handled 2.29% of all foreign tourist arrivals in the country in 2011. [1] [2] This relatively small state is situated on the west coast of India, between the borders of Maharashtra and Karnataka, and is better known to the world as a former Portuguese enclave on Indian soil. Thus, Tourism forms the backbone of Goa's economy. [3]

Major tourist attractions include Bom Jesus Basilica, Fort Aguada, a wax museum on Indian culture, and a heritage museum. The Churches and Convents of Goa have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

As of 2013, Goa was the destination of choice for Indian and foreign tourists, particularly Britons, with limited means who wanted to party. The state was hopeful that changes could be made which would attract a more upscale demographic. [4]

On 24 November 2017, Delta Corp Limited claimed to have set up the first casino game training course centre in India at Goa.

Goa also draws tourists from all over India for its bungee activity, [5] water sports [6] and underwater scuba diving experience. [7]

Beaches

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Baga Beach in North Goa
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Picture of GOA taken from an air craft's window

Goa's beaches cover about 125 kilometres (78 mi) of its coastline. These beaches are divided into North and South Goa.

Most Goan beaches are equipped with lifeguards Life guards in goa beaches.jpg
Most Goan beaches are equipped with lifeguards
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Colva Beach in South Goa
Tourists at Vagator beach in Goa. Ships can be seen in the background. Boys and girls at Goa beach.jpg
Tourists at Vagator beach in Goa. Ships can be seen in the background.
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Bogmalo beach in South Goa

North Goa Beaches

South Goa Beaches

Sea plane service

The government of Goa conducted trials of a seaplane on the Mandovi river on 23 May 2015. The test plane took off from Dabolim airport and successfully landed in the Mandovi river. The seaplane service had started post-monsoon since 2015. [8]

Wildlife

The glassy tiger butterfly spotted at Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary Glassy Tiger.jpg
The glassy tiger butterfly spotted at Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary harbour Goa's rich bio-diversity. Foxes, wild boars and migratory birds are also found in the forests of Goa. The avifauna includes kingfishers, mynas and parrots. The famous Dudhsagar Falls, India's fifth tallest at 310 metres, is located inside Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary at the Goa – Karnataka border.

The renowned Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the island of Chorao. The endangered olive ridley sea turtle can be found on Morjim Beach in Pernem, Northern Goa and Galgibaga Beach in Canacona, Southern Goa. The turtles are listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act. Morjim Beach is also hosting to a number of migratory birds from late September to early April. The area surrounding the shore at Tembwada in Morjim also abounds in various species of birds. A number of international bird watching tours are organised in the area.

Waterfalls

Museums

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A Sea Harrier on display at the Naval Air Museum

There are several museums located in Goa:

Heritage homes

Another major tourist attraction in Goa is its heritage homes. [24] A legacy of the Portuguese colonial regime of more than 450 years, some of these palatial homes are now converted into hotels while many are still inhabited by the people. The popular heritage homes in Goa are:

Forts

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Fort Aguada

The landscape of Goa is dotted with several forts.

  1. Aguada Fort
  2. Alorna Fort
  3. Anjediva Fort
  4. Betul Fort
  5. Cabo de Rama
  6. Chandor Fort
  7. Chapora Fort
  8. Corjuem Fort
  9. Gandaulim Fort
  10. Gaspar Dias Fort
  11. Mormugão Fort
  12. Nanuz Fort
  13. Naroa Fort
  14. Palácio do Cabo
  15. Ponda Fort
  16. Rachol Fort
  17. Reis Magos
  18. Sanquelim Fort
  19. Fortaleza de São Sebastião
  20. São Tiago of Banastarim Fort
  21. São Tomé of Tivim Fort
  22. St Estevam Fort
  23. Tiracol Fort
  24. Fort São Bartolomeu

List of monuments of national importance

List of state protected monuments

Administration

The administration of tourism in Goa lies with Minister for Tourism, Manohar Ajgaonkar, and Secretary and Director for Tourism, Menino D'Souza. Other stakeholders in Goa tourism are the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (A Government of Goa undertaking) and the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG). Prachi Desai has been appointed as the face of Goa's Tourism.

Goa Tourism Development Corporation

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (GTDC) carries out tourism commercial activities like conducting sight seeing tours and river cruises. It also manages 12 hotels with a total of 525 rooms. [28] Also, tourist can opt-in from tourism site in India. They are recognised by tourism minister of India, the government of India to boost Indian tourism sector by providing a world-class tour to tourist.

See also

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References

  1. "Tourist Arrivals (Year Wise)". Department of Tourism, Government of Goa. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  2. "Annual Report, 2011-2012 p. 64" (PDF). Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 March 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  3. "Shree Damodar College of Commerce and Economics, Margao, Goa". damodarcollege.org. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  4. Gethin Chamberlain (31 August 2013). "Why Goa is looking to go upmarket – and banish Brits and backpackers: As visitor numbers dip, the Indian state wants to rid itself of budget tourists – but its rubbish mountains and beach gangs are putting off the rich". The Observer, The Guardian. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  5. "Goa Bungee jumping". Jumpin Heights. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  6. "Water Sports in Goa". India Thrills. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  7. "Goa Scuba diving Adventure". India Thrills. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  8. Sea Plance Service
  9. "Goa Museum – Government of Goa". goamuseum.gov.in. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  10. "Goa Museum – Government of Goa". goamuseum.gov.in. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  11. "Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India – Naval Aviation Museum". goatourism.gov.in. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  12. "Warbirds of India – Naval Aviation Museum". warbirdsofindia.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  13. "Science shows :: Goa Science Centre & Planetarium". goasciencecentre.in. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  14. "About us". Government of Goa Science Centre. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  15. "Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India – Christian Art Museum, Old Goa". goatourism.gov.in. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  16. web site designed and created by: Lynn Barreto Miranda, BM Web Studio, www.bmwebstudio.com, Margao, Goa, India. ph: 2731533, 9822151419. "Ancestral Goa – a center for preservation of Art, Culture and Environment at Big Foot, Loutolim, Goa, India". ancestralgoa.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. "Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India – Ancestral Goa". goatourism.gov.in. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  18. web site designed and created by: Lynn Barreto Miranda, BM Web Studio, www.bmwebstudio.com, Margao, Goa, India. ph: 2731533, 9822151419. "Ancestral Goa – a center for preservation of Art, Culture and Environment at Big Foot, Loutolim, Goa, India". ancestralgoa.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. web site designed and created by: Lynn Barreto Miranda, BM Web Studio, www.bmwebstudio.com, Margao, Goa, India. ph: 2731533, 9822151419. "Bigfoot Cross Museum, Loutolim, Goa, India". bigfootcrossmuseum.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. "Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India – Pilar Museum, Goa Velha". goatourism.gov.in. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  21. 1 2 "Wax World: Goa's very own Madame Tussauds – The Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  22. "Wax World Museum at Old Goa, Information on the Wax World museum in Old Goa, About the Wax World museum in Goa". goaholidayhomes.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  23. "Goa Chitra : Museum". goachitra.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  24. "Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India – Heritage Houses". goatourism.gov.in. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  25. "Hidden Attraction – The Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  26. "Menezes Braganca Heritage House of Chandor | iGoa". Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  27. "Goan mansions". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  28. "Economic Survey 2012-2013" (PDF). Government of Goa. Retrieved 21 April 2013.