In the run-up to World Tourism Day on September 27, Goa has chosen not to simply mark the date but to stretch it into a full month of exploration and connection. The Department of Tourism, together with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), SKAL International Goa and Yuva Tourism Clubs, has rolled out a programme that deliberately shifts focus from clichés of beaches and nightlife to a deeper, slower, and a more regenerative way of experiencing the state.
Goa Extends World Tourism Day 2025 Into A Month-Long Celebration
The curtain rose with a trio of events that captured Goa’s layered character. The old walls of the Aguada Port and Jail Complex echoed with stories during a guided Heritage Walk, where participants traced the imprint of colonial history. A “Picnic by the Forest Stream” in Bicholim carried them away from traffic and tide to the quiet of wooded waters, a reminder that Goa’s landscape is as much forested and rural as it is coastal.
And at Carambolim Lake, a wetland alive with birdsong and seasonal rhythms, students and visitors walked into an ecosystem that holds together biodiversity, livelihood and culture. These were not just outings but lessons in the “Beyond Beaches” narrative that Goa Tourism has been shaping over the past few years, an insistence that the state’s identity runs far wider and richer than its postcard frame.
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Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte was clear about the intention. “Through such inclusive and diverse programmes, we are reinforcing our vision of positioning Goa as a leader in regenerative tourism. By blending heritage, nature and community experiences, we are creating meaningful engagements for students, stakeholders and visitors alike,” he said, stressing that the future of tourism lies in experiences that give back as much as they take.
Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik, took the thought further, pointing to the response these early activities have already sparked. “These activities not only offer unique insights into Goa’s ecology and heritage but also sensitise participants about the importance of sustainability and responsible travel. The enthusiastic response from schools, colleges and tourism partners encourages us to continue expanding such initiatives under the Yuva Tourism Club,” he noted.
The initiative fits neatly into a broader rethinking of Goa’s tourism model, which has in recent years highlighted monsoon campaigns, community-led storytelling, and eco-sensitive itineraries. This month’s celebrations continue that shift, inviting both locals and travellers to see Goa not just as a leisure stop but as a place where conservation and culture can come together.
The programme will conclude with two high-profile events: a Tourism Stakeholders’ Meet at the Grand Hyatt Goa, which is expected to set the tone for the state’s tourism roadmap, and a Film Festival at the Entertainment Society of Goa that will spotlight heritage and conservation through cinema.
In choosing to celebrate World Tourism Day with reflection, Goa is placing itself firmly in the global conversation around sustainable and regenerative tourism, proving that India’s most sought-after holiday state is also ready to be a model for mindful travel.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
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