This May, Goa unveils itself at Arabian Travel Market Dubai

Moving to boost Goa’s tourism industry and explore opportunities ranging from business to roping in quality tourists, the State will be participating at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market Dubai (ATM Dubai) 2024 from May 6 to May 9, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE.

Speaking to the media, Director of Goa Tourism and Managing Director of GTDC, Suneel Anchipaka, explained about devising an effective plan, divided into three phases – pre-event, during the event and post-event – to reach out to stakeholders.

“We’re all aware that ATM Dubai is a leading platform where we can meet a lot of key industry experts and stakeholders from across the world on one single platform," said Anchipaka.

"Hence, it will be a great opportunity for Goa to participate and interact, along with our trade and industry experts,” the director said, adding that the Goan pavilion will reflect the State’s rich historical and cultural heritage under regenerative tourism.

For the first time, approximately 17 co-exhibitors, including tour and travel operators, hotels and wedding planners will come together, and Goa will focus on promoting MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions tourism).

“We are all aware that the Middle East countries, especially the GCC countries, are high-spending countries and we want to invite them to explore and expose them to the hidden gems of Goa,” Anchipaka added.

As part of regenerative tourism initiatives, the department will focus on promoting spiritual and hinterland tourism, Goa beyond beaches.

On marketing the Ekadaska Teertha that revolves around the 11 spiritual sites, Anchipaka said that currently only four of the eleven temples are being taken up.

“We have our own budget constraints and have planned it in a way that these 11 temples are developed and the main thing is how the community around the temple circles will benefit,” the director said. “It can’t be done overnight.”

Apart from coordinating with officials for high level meetings, the inaugural will be attended by Goa Ministers, too.

On a concluding note, he hopes that apart from enhancing Goa’s identity across the world, the platform will open up opportunities to network and collaborate on ideas.

“It is an interesting operation to bring businesses to Goa that will ultimately benefit local employment,” Anchipaka said.