Goa, 15th October 2025: The Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, represented the state at the National Conference of State and Union Territories Tourism Ministers held in Udaipur, Rajasthan on 14th–15th October 2025. The two-day conference, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, was graced by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, and brought together Tourism Ministers, Secretaries, and senior officials from across India to deliberate on policies, strategies, and coordinated initiatives to strengthen India’s tourism ecosystem.
The Goa delegation included Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, and Shri Shawn Mendes, OSD to the Minister for Tourism.
The conference served as a strategic platform to discuss draft frameworks on the Development of 50 Tourist Destinations, Performance Linked Incentives (PLI), and the Integrated Tourism Promotion Scheme (ITPS) all designed to position India as a holistic tourism destination in both domestic and global markets.
Speaking at the conference, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte stated,
“Goa’s tourism vision is rooted in regenerative practices that balance economic growth with environmental preservation and community well-being. As we begin the 2025–26 season, Goa is expanding its international connectivity and diversifying its offerings. Our new destination development projects in Pernem and Canacona will redefine Goa’s tourism landscape by fostering community and economic growth while upholding our commitment to sustainability. Through technology-enabled tourist safety and a visitor-first approach, we aim to deliver transformative experiences inspired by our philosophy of Atithi Devo Bhava.”
Goa’s presentation highlighted two flagship projects the Mega Performance Arena at Mandrem (Pernem) and the Lord Parshuram Statue and Museum with the Lifescape Project at Loliem (Canacona) — envisioned as transformative hubs to enhance visitor experiences, generate employment, and strengthen Goa’s global positioning.
The Mega Performance Arena, a 20,000-seat state-of-the-art facility, will serve as a flexible, multi-use venue for international concerts, conventions, cultural festivals, and entertainment events — establishing Pernem as a northern tourism gateway.
The Lord Parshuram Statue and Museum, together with the Lifescape Project, will be developed as a cultural and spiritual landmark celebrating Goa’s mythological heritage. Featuring storytelling zones, scenic viewpoints, and curated exhibits, the project will anchor hinterland tourism growth in South Goa and advance the state’s “Goa Beyond Beaches” vision.
Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, remarked,
“The Udaipur conference provided an excellent opportunity to align Goa’s regenerative tourism model with the national strategy. Our focus is on strengthening Goa’s identity as a year-round experiential destination through infrastructure enhancement, heritage conservation, and digital solutions for safety and engagement. Projects like the Mega Performance Arena and the Lord Parshuram Museum will create new economic opportunities for local communities while positioning Goa on the world tourism map.”
During the plenary and technical sessions, Goa showcased its long-term regenerative tourism strategy, focused on sustainability, community participation, digital innovation, and infrastructure development.
The Minister also highlighted Goa’s strong start to the 2025–26 tourism season, marked by the arrival of the first charter flight and enhanced international air connectivity. With three new weekly flights from Novosibirsk to MOPA, nine weekly Aeroflot flights from Moscow, Yekaterinburg, and Novosibirsk, and upcoming charter operations from Kazakhstan starting 25th October 2025, Goa continues to strengthen its presence in key source markets.
Goa’s roadmap is anchored on seven strategic pillars:
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Eco & Nature-Based Tourism
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Goan Backwaters
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Heritage & Culture
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MICE Tourism
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Adventure Tourism
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Leisure & Entertainment
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Spiritual, Wellness & Medical Tourism
The state reaffirmed its commitment to technology-enabled tourist safety, seamless visitor experiences, and community-centered development, aligning with India’s broader tourism growth agenda.
Through its participation in the National Tourism Ministers’ Conference, Goa reaffirmed its role as a key stakeholder in shaping India’s tourism future — driving towards a vibrant, resilient, and globally competitive tourism ecosystem built on the principles of sustainability and inclusivity.