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Goa Cabinet Ministers List 2022: Full list of ministers in Pramod Sawant cabinet and their portfolios

Along with Sawant, eight newly elected MLAs also took as ministers in the new Cabinet. Here is the full list of ministers in the new Goa Cabinet:

Pramod Sawant — a three-time MLA — on Monday took oath as the Chief Minister of Goa for the second time in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries. This is his second consecutive term as CM. He became the chief minister for the first time in March 2019 after the demise of then chief minister Manohar Parrikar.

Pramod Sawant — Home, Finance, Personnel, Vigilance, Official Languages

Vishwajit Rane — Health , Urban Development, TCP, Women and Child, Forest

Mauvin Godinho — Transport, Industries, Panchayat, Protocol

Ravi Naik — Agriculture, Handicrafts, Civil Supplies

Nilesh Cabral — Legislative Affairs, Environment, Law & Judiciary, PWD

Subhash Shirodkar — WRD, Cooperation, Provedoria

Rohan Khaunte — Tourism , IT, Printing and Stationary

Govind Gaude — Sports , Art & Culture, RDA

Atanasio Monserrate — Revenue, Labour, Waste Management

Besides chief minister, the Goa cabinet can have 11 more ministers. This is the second time that Goa’s chief minister was sworn in outside the Raj Bhavan premises. In 2012, Manohar Parrikar had taken oath as the CM at Campal ground in the state capital Panaji after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the House.

In the recently concluded state polls, the BJP won 20 seats, one short of the majority in the 40-member House. Three independent MLAs and two legislators of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) have extended support to the BJP.

(The list will be updated with portfolios of Cabinet ministers as and when they are announced.)

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Call Us: +91-0832-2494204

Email:dir[hypen]tour[dot]goa[at]nic[dot]in

Tourism Helpline: 1364

Department of Tourism

Government of Goa

Department of Tourism:

The Administrative Heads of the Department:

• Shri Rohan Khaunte (Tourism Minister)
• Shri Sanjay Goel , IAS (Secretary Tourism)

Details of Public Grievance Officer:

Name: Shri Kuldeep U. Arolkar. Designation:  Dy. Director of Tourism, Head Office, Panaji Address:   Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, Paryatan Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, Goa – 403001. Phone: 0832-2494223/8975781333 …………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Shri Dhiraj Vagle. Designation: Dy. Director of Tourism, South Zone Office, Margao. Address:   Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, South Zone Office, Block No. 43, Ground Floor, Mathany Saldanha Administrative Complex, Margao, Goa – 403601. (South Zone Office) Phone:  0832-2494208 /0832-2794635

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Vision to promote Goa ‘beyond the beaches’ and focus on hinterland tourism: Tourism Minister

Rohan khaunte says the government is taking ‘some bitter steps’ to promote sustainable tourism for future generations..

Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has said that the government’s vision is to promote the state “beyond the beaches” and provide a more immersive experience for tourists by creating new infrastructure.

Addressing the Assembly on Tuesday, Khaunte said the government was taking “some bitter steps” to promote sustainable tourism for future generations.

“Post- Covid-19 , there are a lot of learnings and we have to start thinking about how to take tourism ahead. We have been known as a destination for beach and party life. We have to promote Goa beyond the sun, sand and sea. No one knows about the hinterland. We can showcase hinterland, culture, tradition and cuisine. We are called the food capital of the country. We can look at village experiences, backwaters…The tourist today wants to explore wellness and spirituality sectors,” he added.

Khaunte said that during the pandemic, the tourism industry in the coastal state realised that it was too much dependent on tourists from markets like the UK and Russia. He said newer destinations were now being explored through better connectivity.

“We have to take advantage of Mopa airport without disturbing Dabolim Airport. We have tied up with 22 destinations in tier II and tier III cities which never had direct connectivity. International connectivity is still a challenge,” he said, adding that the state had already reduced tax on aviation fuel to attract more airlines.

Responding to apprehensions about model beach shacks, Khaunte said that model shacks show opportunities to the operators. “We want to bring standardised shacks. One will be in the North and another in the South. It will display modern amenities and usher in international practices. In order to ensure that the tourists stay back for more time, we need to give them opportunities to spend more by creating more infrastructure and services,” he added.

He said the government would come up with a new heritage policy by August-September. “We are also stressing on caravan tourism. The facilities required for the same are being identified. We are also pushing for agro-tourism,” he said.

Meanwhile, Opposition parties attacked the government on Wednesday over illegal online gambling operations and rising narcotics consumption in the state.

During the Question Hour, Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao said that online gambling was increasing among the youth, especially on apps.

AAP MLA Venzy Viegas raised the issue of narcotics, claiming that “weed cakes” and “marijuana brownies” were being sold in pastry shops.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the police were taking action against gambling sites, lottery sites and online casino operations in the state.

In a written reply to a question from the Opposition, Sawant said, “So far, from 2019 till June 30, 2023, 44 cases have been registered in online gambling cases.”

Sawant also said the police and the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration would look into the concerns regarding narcotics being sold at pastry shops.

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Exclusive: Goa’s Minister for Tourism on changing the image of the state

In an exclusive conversation with Lifestyle Asia India , Rohan Khaunte, the Minister for Tourism and IT in the Government of Goa says that responsible tourism is the need of the hour.

The much-awaited Goa Carnaval and Shigmotsav festival dates were announced in a press conference conducted by the Ministry of Tourism, Goa, convened under Tourism Minister Mr Rohan Khaunte. During this press conference, the minister filled in the major details regarding the ever-vibrant folk festivals emerging from Konkani and Western-Christian roots growing back centuries, along with the state’s tourism plans.

The Goa Carnaval and Shigmotsav festival

This year, the Carnaval is set to commence from the 18th until the 21st of February and a curtain raiser on the 17th of February in Porvorim. The centres for the carnaval are Porvorim, Panaji, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Morjim.

The spectacular five-day festival of colours, the “Shigmotsav” or “Shigmo festival”, also regarded as Goa’s spring festival, is held in the villages of Goa every year. Famous temple “Yatras” take place during this time. This festival is celebrated in the month of Phalguna (March) from the 9th moon day to the full moon day as per the Hindu calendar. It is the biggest festival for the Hindus. To draw tourists, this festival is celebrated in several towns. Cities host processions that feature both contemporary floats and traditional Goan dancing. Best float decorators and performers in the procession receive awards.

However, Khaunte is looking towards a more responsible and sustainable form of tourism that doesn’t affect the delicate ecosystem of Goa. “In one line, I would say GOA stands for ‘golden opportunities available’,” he says, adding: “We have a long-term vision of getting the right tourists to Goa. It’s more about quality than quantity.”

Excerpts from our exclusive conversation with Goa’s Minister of Tourism

How do you intend to ensure responsible tourism in goa.

When we talk about a safe and secure Goa, we need to ensure that the tourist who is coming in feels safe and secure and can move around without fear. At the same time, we want the tourists coming in to be quite responsible in whatever they are doing. Goa shouldn’t be looked at in terms of vices or as a sin city – getting drunk sometimes, consuming drugs somewhere. When we don’t even know where it is coming from. At the end of the day, the tourist having any issues here hits back on the tourism vertical of the state and since Goa is an international destination, it becomes global news for the wrong reasons. We need to have a sustainable approach because as we welcome more tourists, we need to ensure that they do not destroy the ethnic culture, tradition and authenticity that Goa holds. Hence, since we are providing facilities for tourists to come and visit our state, we also expect them to be responsible and create a good tourism vertical.

Considering that the pandemic was such an uncertain period in people’s lives, have you seen them behaving more responsibly when they visit your state?

The mindset of a tourist has changed. They are thinking about more immersive experiences. They know what they want and I would call it ‘revenge tourism’. They want to do everything. So when they want to do everything, they can’t come to Goa and just do one thing and then go somewhere and do the rest of the stuff. Hence, we also need to make things available to them in a manner where they can come and maybe increase their stay wherein we create more options for them regarding ecotourism, wellness, and a sense of adventure. We are actively working on these verticals. A member of the Press enquired about the number of hotel rooms available during the carnival. Infrastructure for that is being made and we need to really work on this. Today, there are roughly 4542 hotels with different categories of rooms amounting to about 82,000. We have new labels coming and setting up shops in the state which will help the tourism vertical. We also exploring emerging markets for tourism.

Working on Goa as a state and working so closely with the people there, how has it changed personally?

I’m also a businessman and I’m also a politician. I’m a hotelier and I’m also a person interested in real estate. And we have always been with the masses. So it doesn’t allow us to think differently. We are getting to work on our idea of golden Goa which we envisioned during our college days and now we have been given the opportunity to work on that. We can work on what Goa strongly needed in terms of the governors that we need when we talk about our culture, tradition, and ethos, how we can protect it, how we can project Goa as a new thing and how we can make it a knowledge hub. So, there are a lot of things which we have in our mind and we are looking to deliver.

And are these things coming to fruition?

(smiles) They will, they will.

Mayukh Majumdar

Entertainment Editor

Mayukh Majumdar lives life in Bollywood dialogues and has previously worked with media channels like Filmfare, Rolling Stone India, Man's World India and Mirror Now. He aspires to travel like Freya Stark and retire in New Orleans one day.

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Goa is now the go to holiday destination for tourists from this central Asian country

State tourism minister rohan khaunte said that this is the commencement of a long collaboration with uzbekistan, emphasising the prospect of strengthening tourism ties between the two nations..

By CNBCTV18 Travel Desk   Dec 8, 2023 11:39:53 AM IST (Published)

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Goa to bring back 1960s, welcome wealthy tourists only: Goa Tourism Minister

Times of India Times Travel / TRAVEL NEWS , GOA / Created : May 11, 2020, 20:00 IST

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Ajgaonkar also said that wealthy tourists will be given preference over budget and local tourists. The idea behind taking such measures is to bring about the Goa of the 1960s, when it was beautiful. In comparison, Goa as we see to … Read more

Ajgaonkar also said that wealthy tourists will be given preference over budget and local tourists. The idea behind taking such measures is to bring about the Goa of the 1960s, when it was beautiful. In comparison, Goa as we see today, is more crowded with millions of tourists visiting each year. Read less

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Ajgaonkar also said that wealthy tourists will be given preference over budget and local tourists. The idea behind taking such measures is to bring about the Goa of the 1960s, when it was beautiful. I...

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• Leaders Speak
• Goa Tourism Minister discusses new projects during Delhi visit

Rohan Khaunte called upon the Union Minister of Tourism and Union Minister of Ports & Shipping during his recent visit to the capital. The discussions held during the Goa Tourism Minister's visit to Delhi reflect the government's commitment to boosting tourism in Goa and tapping into its rich cultural and natural heritage to attract visitors from around the world.

• Gagneet Kaur ,
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• Updated On May 20, 2023 at 11:03 AM IST

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Goa to announce homestay, caravan policies; new roadmap beyond beaches next month: Tourism minister

Minister also stated in an interview with pti that the goal of 'goa tourism 2.0' is to emphasize 'quality over quantity' as well as responsible and sustainable activities that respect the environment and are in keeping with local customs.

Representational Image.

Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte stated that the new roadmap positions the coastal state as a 365-day destination “beyond beaches” and that a new homestay policy that aims to take tourists into the heart of Goa and make them experience its “actual traditions” is expected to be implemented in a month.

He also stated in an interview with PTI that the goal of “Goa Tourism 2.0” is to emphasize “quality over quantity” as well as responsible and sustainable activities that respect the environment and are in keeping with local customs.

The new caravan policy from Goa Tourism, according to the minister, is also anticipated to go into effect within a month.

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“Goa has always been a preferred destination for tourists, known for its beautiful beaches, and we are known for our party life, more of a different culture. But Goa is much more than that… and unfortunately in the past, we have not been able to get that thought changed, that perception about Goa,” he said.

Goa is about rich traditions, rich culture, great food, great people, great eco-tourism, a lot of opportunities for adventure, and many things happening. And, that’s why “we need to stitch things together,” he asserted.

“So, right now with the whole thought process of what Goa has been, when we talk of Goa for its beaches, its party life. Today, we move with the hashtag of #GoaBeyondBeaches, and Goa beyond beaches has been a thought process post-Covid, when we have realises that we need to look at tranquillity, immersiveness, and that exactly what tourists today are looking for,” Khaunte said.

“We need to look at more of quality tourists coming in than the numbers. The number game has to stop, because tourism is the main vertical for the state. We need to ensure that it gives the right path to the economy and employment, and being a major churner of the industry in the state, we need to get our things right,” he said.

Goa government has been talking in the last few months, of moving the focus of the state’s tourism sector to areas such as spirituality and wellness, eco-tourism, rural tourism and much more, and not fixating on the idea of sun, sand and surf that Goa has traditionally been popular for.

“The new process of Goa tourism, I would say Goa tourism 2.0, has already started, which we today would like to include on a larger scale, rural tourism, eco-tourism and hinterland, and to stitch to that we have a path where we would like to include our various festivals, great traditions, great food, homestays, spirituality,” Khaunte said.

Asked about the homestay policy, he said it goes in line with the new vision of ‘Goa beyond beaches’ and will let tourists travel away from the coastal area and into the rich hinterland, he said.

“This will take tourists right into the heart of Goa and make them experience the actual traditions and culture of Goa. This policy will outline 100 houses in the first phase, located only in rural belt, areas such as Bicholim.

The policy is expected to be rolled out in a month’s time, along with the caravan policy of the tourism department,” the minister said, adding, about 60 per cent land parcel in Goa in the rural belt.

Homestays will also allow people to experience the local culture, traditions, festivals, cuisine and much more, he said, adding for this “we have signed an MoU with Airbnb”.

A top official in the Goa tourism department said Airbnb will provide capacity building, training for owners of such properties.

The new caravan policy entails operators to run a recreational van, so that one is not constrained by itinerary as one is in a hotel stay. It will also include setting up caravan park where the plan is to provide utilities, sanitation services, vehicle charging points, etc, the official said.

Khaunte said Goa has very old temples, churches, but its history is even richer.

“We have Saptakoteshwar Temple, waterfalls, we have many things. But, still there are many things to explore, many things to understand… And, to understand Goa in the right sense and the right flavour, and that’s exactly we are trying to position, Goa, as a 365-day destination, where one gets a personal feeling within the space, rejuvenation happens. It is no longer a seasonal tourism,” the minister said.

Emphasising that Goa is also known as ‘Parshuram Bhoomi’, he said the tourism department has envisioned to create “a civil infrastructure” wherein inside there will be various facilities, and which from outside will look like a bow, and which will end up on the seaside.

“As per the legend, Lord Parshuram had shot an arrow and it moved the sea away, from which ‘Goa’ had emerged,” he said.

The minister said about 10-15 acres of land on the seaside will be needed for this project.

“It’s a thought. But, to make it happen, it’s not only through the state government, but will have to make it happen through Union ministries. And, we look forward to support from Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism. We are trying to get it executed under both the ministries together, as an ‘iconic destination’,” he added.

He also underlined that the ‘digital nomad’ fraternity is a growing tribe and “about 46 countries mapped under it”.

“These people (who want to work from home, away from home) need creative space and quality of space, and Goa gives this by default. This vision works for long haul, and we are trying to talk to the Centre to get digital nomad visa being issued for such tourists. If this visa thing gets cleared, we will start getting a new set of tourists on a long haul, they will complement homestay policy, contribute to economy, talent pool generation and capacity building,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Published on: October 12, 2023 17:58:05 IST

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World Music Day: Manohar Ajgaonkar wants to make Goa a music festival destination

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Goa to collaborate with Portugal for improving tourist experience: Minister

Goa tourism minister Rohan Khaunte called on Portuguese minister of economy and maritime affairs, Antonio Costa Silva

Goa and Portugal will explore opportunities for collaboration in innovative technologies and tourism practices to help bring better tourist experiences, the state’s tourism minister Rohan Khaunte, who is on a visit to the European country, said on Tuesday.

Khaunte called on Portuguese minister of economy and maritime affairs, Antonio Costa Silva.

“Both leaders held discussions in depth on various aspects in the field of Tourism & IT (information technology). Khaunte, who is representing Goa state, also had discussions with Silva, with regards to possible future collaborations in the tourism sector,” a statement released by Khaunte’s office said.

According to the statement, Goa and Portugal will collaborate and share their ideas and knowledge, and sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Tourism and IT soon on the exchange of ideas regarding growth of tourism, building demand for Goa from Portugal, alternative fuels, startup ecosystem, exchange of views and many more.

Increasing the air connectivity between Portugal and Goa is key and with the new international airport in North Goa, Manohar International Airport, the possibility of a new route was discussed in one of the meetings that Khaunte held with Christine Ourmières-Widener, chief executive officer (CEO) of TAP Group, Portugal, the release added.

A delegation from the Goa Tourism Department was at the Bolsa Turismo Lisboa Travel Market (BTL) Portugal, held at Feira Internacional de Lisboa atividades (FIL), Lisboa, Portugal from March 1 to 5.

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Goa tourism 2.0: New caravan, homestay policies within a month, says minister Rohan Khaunte

Asked about the homestay policy, he said it goes in line with the new vision of 'Goa beyond beaches' and will let tourists travel away from the coastal area and into the rich hinterland

Aimed at immersing travellers in the heart of Goa and allow them to experience its authentic traditions, state Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has revealed that a new homestay and caravan policy will be launched within a month, reported news agency PTI .

The new move will position Goa as a year-round destination that can be explored beyond its beaches and nightlife.

Khaunte also shared that the vision of 'Goa Tourism 2.0' emphasises on "quality over quantity" and responsible and sustainable practices that respect nature and are in consonance with local culture.

The minister said Goa Tourism's new caravan policy is also likely to be rolled out in a month's time.

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"Goa has always been a preferred destination for tourists, known for its beautiful beaches, and we are known for our party life, more of a different culture. But Goa is much more than that... and unfortunately in the past, we have not been able to get that thought changed, that perception about Goa," he said.

The new caravan policy entails operators to run a recreational van, so that one is not constrained by itinerary as one is in a hotel stay. It will also include setting up caravan park where the plan is to provide utilities, sanitation services, vehicle charging points, etc, the official said.

Asked about the homestay policy, he said it goes in line with the new vision of 'Goa beyond beaches' and will let tourists travel away from the coastal area and into the rich hinterland, he said.

"This will take tourists right into the heart of Goa and make them experience the actual traditions and culture of Goa. This policy will outline 100 houses in the first phase, located only in rural belt, areas such as Bicholim. The policy is expected to be rolled out in a month's time, along with the caravan policy of the tourism department," the minister said.

According to him, homestays will also allow people to experience the local culture, traditions, festivals, cuisine and much more, he said, adding for this "we have signed an MoU with Airbnb".

A top official in the Goa tourism department said Airbnb will provide capacity building, training for owners of such properties.

Stating the need for such move, he added Goa is about rich traditions, rich culture, great food, great people, great eco-tourism, a lot of opportunities for adventure, and many things happening.

"So, right now with the whole thought process of what Goa has been, when we talk of Goa for its beaches, its party life. Today, we move with the hashtag of #GoaBeyondBeaches, and Goa beyond beaches has been a thought process post-Covid, when we have realises that we need to look at tranquillity, immersiveness, and that exactly what tourists today are looking for," Khaunte said.

"We need to look at more of quality tourists coming in than the numbers. The number game has to stop, because tourism is the main vertical for the state. We need to ensure that it gives the right path to the economy and employment, and being a major churner of the industry in the state, we need to get our things right," he said.

In last few months, the Goa government has been talking of moving the focus of the state's tourism sector to areas such as spirituality and wellness, eco-tourism, rural tourism and much more, and not fixating on the idea of sun, sand and surf that Goa has traditionally been popular for.

"The new process of Goa tourism, I would say Goa tourism 2.0, has already started, which we today would like to include on a larger scale, rural tourism, eco-tourism and hinterland, and to stitch to that we have a path where we would like to include our various festivals, great traditions, great food, homestays, spirituality," Khaunte said.

Khaunte said Goa has very old temples, churches, but its history is even richer.

"We have Saptakoteshwar Temple, waterfalls, we have many things. But, still there are many things to explore, many things to understand... And, to understand Goa in the right sense and the right flavour, and that's exactly we are trying to position, Goa, as a 365-day destination, where one gets a personal feeling within the space, rejuvenation happens. It is no longer a seasonal tourism," the minister said.

With agency inputs.

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Goa tourism to help travellers enjoy the state's actual traditions; homestays, caravans to be set up

Panaji: Goa is not just about beaches and parties, and travellers can experience the actual traditions, history and more of the state, soon. Goa will soon roll out a 'homestay policy' that aims to take tourists to the heart of the state. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that the new roadmap positions the coastal state as a 365-day destination 'beyond beaches'. In an interview with PTI, he also shared that the vision of 'Goa Tourism 2.0' emphasises "quality over quantity" and responsible and sustainable practices that respect nature and are in consonance with local culture. The minister said Goa Tourism's new caravan policy is also likely to be rolled out in a month's time.

"Goa has always been a preferred destination for tourists, known for its beautiful beaches, and we are known for our party life, more of a different culture. But Goa is much more than that... and unfortunately in the past, we have not been able to get that thought changed, that perception about Goa," he said.

Goa beyond beaches Goa is about rich traditions, rich culture, great food, great people, great eco-tourism, a lot of opportunities for adventure, and many things happening. And, that's why "we need to stitch things together," he asserted.

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"So, right now with the whole thought process of what Goa has been when we talk of Goa for its beaches, its party life. Today, we move with the hashtag of #GoaBeyondBeaches, and Goa beyond beaches has been a thought process post-Covid when we have realised that we need to look at tranquillity, immersiveness, and that is exactly what tourists today are looking for," Khaunte said.

"We need to look at more quality tourists coming in than the numbers. The number game has to stop because tourism is the main vertical for the state. We need to ensure that it gives the right path to the economy and employment, and being a major churner of the industry in the state, we need to get our things right," he said.

Goa government has been talking in the last few months, about moving the focus of the state's tourism sector to areas such as spirituality and wellness, eco-tourism, rural tourism and much more, and not fixating on the idea of sun, sand and surf that Goa has traditionally been popular for.

"The new process of Goa tourism, I would say Goa tourism 2.0, has already started, which we today would like to include on a larger scale, rural tourism, eco-tourism and hinterland, and to stitch to that we have a path where we would like to include our various festivals, great traditions, great food, homestays, spirituality," Khaunte said.

100 houses in the first phase Asked about the homestay policy, he said it will let tourists travel away from the coastal area and into the rich hinterland, he said. "This will take tourists right into the heart of Goa and make them experience the actual traditions and culture of Goa. This policy will outline 100 houses in the first phase, located only in rural belt, areas such as Bicholim. The policy is expected to be rolled out in a month's time, along with the caravan policy of the tourism department," the minister said, adding, that about 60 per cent of land parcel in Goa is in the rural belt.

Homestays will also allow people to experience the local culture, traditions, festivals, cuisine and much more, he said, adding "We have signed an MoU with Airbnb". A top official in the Goa tourism department said Airbnb will provide capacity-building, training for owners of such properties. The new caravan policy entails operators running a recreational van so that one is not constrained by itinerary as one is in a hotel stay. It will also include setting up a caravan park where the plan is to provide utilities, sanitation services, vehicle charging points, etc, the official said.

A rich history Khaunte said Goa has very old temples and churches, but its history is even richer. "We have Saptakoteshwar Temple, waterfalls, we have many things. But, still, there are many things to explore, and many things to understand... And, to understand Goa in the right sense and the right flavour, that's exactly what we are trying to position, Goa, as a 365-day destination, where one gets a personal feeling within the space, rejuvenation happens. It is no longer seasonal tourism," the minister said.

Emphasising that Goa is also known as 'Parshuram Bhoomi', he said the tourism department has envisioned creating "a civil infrastructure" wherein inside there will be various facilities, and which from outside will look like a bow, and which will end up on the seaside. "As per the legend, Lord Parshuram had shot an arrow and it moved the sea away, from which 'Goa' had emerged," he said.

'Digital nomad visa' The minister said about 10-15 acres of land on the seaside will be needed for this project. "It's a thought. But, to make it happen, it's not only through the state government but will have to make it happen through Union ministries. And, we look forward to support from the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism. We are trying to get it executed under both the ministries together, as an 'iconic destination'," he added. He also underlined that the 'digital nomad' fraternity is a growing tribe and "about 46 countries mapped under it".

"These people (who want to work from home, away from home) need creative space and quality of space, and Goa gives this by default. This vision works for the long haul, and we are trying to talk to the Centre to get a digital nomad visa issued for such tourists. If this visa thing gets cleared, we will start getting a new set of tourists on a long haul, they will complement homestay policy, contribute to the economy, talent pool generation and capacity building," he said.  

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• Leaders Speak
• Goa, Portugal to explore best practices and innovative tech in tourism: minister

Goa's tourism minister Rohan Khaunte met with Antonio Costa Silva, minister of the economy and maritime affairs of the Portuguese Republic, and they discussed different possibilities regarding tourism development.

• Updated On Mar 7, 2023 at 04:26 PM IST

• Published On Mar 7, 2023 at 04:00 PM IST

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The Uninvited Host: Telling the story of the true cost of tourism in Goa

“The state of Goa, which occupies a sliver on the country’s western coast, is where residents of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and other cities converge for long weekends and lazy holidays filled with sun, sand and revelry. These days, the beguiling beaches might look like they’ve been colonized by foreign hippies and rave-goers by the thousands, but the region’s European connection dates back centuries… The result of this commingling of cultures is one of the most fascinating pockets of India, defined by a leisurely pace and laid-back attitude. Perhaps there’s no better way to describe the vibe in Goa than 'susegaad,' a Konkani term derived from Portuguese that alludes to a sybaritic, contented way of life…” [from 36 hours in Goa, New York Times, by Sarah A. Khan ] "In a small place like Goa [approximately 3,700 kms or smaller than the state of Delaware] its infrastructure is overwhelmed by the mass influx of tourists. Between 2018 and 2019, it is estimated that thirteen to fifteen million people visited the holiday destination.  Compare this to the state’s population of just under two million residents as per the last national census of 2011." [from T he Uninvited Host: Goa and the Parties not Meant for its People ; Text: R. Benedito Ferrão; Illustrations: Angela Ferrão; Design: Maria Vanessa de Sa ]

“I teach a class that is about Goan representation in literature, and part of that course is to help students understand contemporary issues in Goa as they come up in literature,” Ferrão explains. “As I always say in my classes, while what I teach is a vehicle for that particular subject--be it film, literature, Asian American studies--it should also give students a larger sense of the world. As they learn about Goa, I think that we also want them to think about Goa as part of a larger host of issues around the world, especially around the environment and tourism. And this is particularly relevant for study abroad programs. On the one hand, you want to be aware of cultural issues, and have that educational bent of mind around issues that you will be studying there, but what are the ethical responsibilities of the traveler?”

The impact of tourism: numbers vs reality

Ferrão has a personal perspective on the effect of tourism on Goa. “This is something that both Angela and I as Goans have seen our communities grapple with, being, as we say in the comic book, the ‘uninvited hosts’ to the tourism industry, which indiscriminately uses resources and is not necessarily an economic benefit.”

Ferrão also doesn’t think that the infrastructure is adequate for the needs of residents. “I think all the infrastructure that has been developed has been to promote tourism, not for the local good.”

“Tourism works in the colonial vein. Most of the tourists that occupy Goa are from other parts of India. So I think the Indian tourists, when they come to Goa, don't consider the fact that there are local people that live there.”

Ferrão sees that disregard to local needs happening in tourist destinations all over the world, not just Goa. “Because Goa has been promoted, it's very much like the way one would think of Hawai’i in the context of the United States, where people forget that it's got its own history, its own people and traditions and customs, and for whom the land is sacred.”

Choosing the right medium for the message

As with all of his projects, Ferrão looks for formats and venues to deliver his thesis in a way that will be visually powerful as well as informative. He is an award-winning photographer, and he has both experience (curating four exhibitions since 2017) and great success in combining words and images to present a narrative or history—whether curating an exhibit or a publication. An example of his facility with working in multiple media is a special issue of the João Roque Literary Journal he co-edited in  2021 that contained contributions ranging from works on canvas to memoir and short film.

So why for this project did he choose the comic book and exhibition?

Ferrão also sees students as part of his intended audience. “I thought that a comic book would be a good resource for students to have as a reference point for contemporary goings on, but it will also be a good resource for our study abroad program in Goa. The comic book will give a sense of things on the ground--to think about the issues of tourism, sustainability and environment not only in Goa, but around the world.”

That said, some habits are hard to break: “When you look at the comic book, you’ll see it actually has footnotes. And the reason for that is because we do cite statistics,” Ferrão admits.

Project management and team building

Ferrão decided on a two-part project: the comic book, printed editions of which will be available for the opening at the gallery in Goa; and a digital version that can be used online by William & Mary students preparing for the W&M faculty-led program to Goa & Bengaluru this summer . He received a Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation (STLI) grant, which mainly goes to support his travel to Goa to prepare and then launch the comic book.

Ferrão next began to assemble his team.

Angela was on board right away.

“Well, it was a no-brainer, really,” Angela recalls. “I didn't have to think twice about it because I support anything that helps promote more knowledge about how one walks around a place as a tourist. There are people who walk around thinking that [Goa] is just about tourism, and there's nothing more. I think the book encourages you to explore local history and maybe be a little more empathetic towards Goa.”

The next step for Ferrão was writing the text. “I wrote what is for all intents and purposes an academic essay, but I made it more user-friendly for a comic book interface with shorter paragraphs. I was thinking, what is this going to look like on the page in terms of the bubbles [or speech balloons] or the little inset frames and things like that? It obviously couldn't look like an academic essay; it would be very off-putting in a comic book.”

Angela then read through the essay and provided the illustrations. “They were entirely of her own devising.”

In addition to an illustrator, they needed a designer. The two contacted their friend Maria Vanessa de Sa, an architect, urban designer, and artist, who became the graphic designer of the comic book. That turned out to be the most time-consuming part of the process, as it was mostly done online. “Obviously, it's Angela's vision in terms of the images, but we were also working with Vanessa [the graphic designer] with her own input. So when the comic book is published, it’s actually going to have the names of all three of us, because I really think of it as a joint project among the three of us,” Ferrão says.

Angela concurs. “It just came together so beautifully because of Vanessa's graphic design and the way it flows.  It's a very good collaborative effort. You’re surprised sometimes because you do the illustration, and you can never imagine how it will be laid out.”

Sharing the work with the public

Ferrão called on a W&M study abroad connection for the mounting of the exhibit. Dr Vishvesh Prabhakar Kandolkar, Associate Professor of Architecture at Goa College of Architecture, is the faculty advisor on the ground for the W&M Goa & Bengaluru program, and he serves as project manager and designer for the exhibition.

“The last time I was in Goa we worked solely on the exhibition, choosing the images that will go in the exhibition and then contacting the gallery--Gallery Gitanjali: Panjim Pousada,” Ferrão recalls. [Another connection with the study abroad program: the gallery is located in the Panjim Inn, where W&M students stay when they're in Goa.] “The biggest cost was going to be the cost of the gallery, but they are hosting the exhibition. That’s a huge expression of support. It's a wonderful space and centrally located. I'm really grateful to them.”

Having a show of this kind of local Goan art is in itself noteworthy.

There are many art festivals in Goa, but they rarely feature the work of Goan artists. As Ferrão notes, “There is no state repository of Goan art in Goa, so one cannot go to an art museum in Goa of Goan art. You could go to a local gallery, or you could go to a one-off exhibition, but there really is no sense of Goan art history. Angela's work is important in its own right, but it's also part of a longer tradition amongst Goan artists. And I think having an exhibition is good, but having a printed publication is also very important, because that then works as a more permanent record.”

Interest in the exhibit has been very high, in part because Angela is very well known on social media and in local papers with her activism and her artwork. But the interest is also because it promises to be a unique gathering of artists, academics and activists.   

This project is deeply personal for both Angela and Benedito.

“On the one hand, the issues of tourism and environment are really important to me academically,” Benedito explains. “But even more important to this project is that it’s using the work of a Goan artist to speak to a Goan community, to speak to Goan issues. I think making this an art project is really important, not only in being able to visually demonstrate things so that it opens up how people understand issues, but also as a means to contradict the tourist’s belief that Goa is a place for consumption, without its own unique artistic culture and community.”

Angela has a visceral connection to the place and people. “I lived in Mumbai for most of my life, but I'm Goan, and [Goans] live, breathe, and do everything that is connected to Goa and with Goa.”

“I started doing a lot of work related to the environment, and how people view Goa and use Goa to further their own career or creativity--or the lack of, I would say. I’ve read a lot of the works of people like Benedito, about colonization, and how it ties in with what is going on and how we are colonized, but we don't even know it; we don’t know why these things are happening, and why we’re not able to reach our aspirations. It gave me a little more insight into my work.”

Angela sees one of the dividends of the project and the exhibit is to counteract assumptions. “There’s stereotype of Goans that they’re not serious; that they’re just fun-loving and into music. So I'm always hopeful that people like Benedito and this work will help focus on the intellectual community in Goa.  That's why the collaboration is exciting for me, because I get to work with the people who are in academia and also Goans. And that changes the entire narrative.”

Benedito remarked that working with his colleagues has been one of the best parts of the project. “Angela, Vishvesh and I, and a few other academics and artists of our generation, have circulated in many of the same circles in Goa, but this is our first collaboration.”

A first collaboration, but most likely the first of many. Angela sums up the project for the whole team: “When you see the book it is really something to be proud of.”

The exhibit at Gallery Gitanjali: Panjim Pousada runs from December 7-18, 2023.  

R. Benedito Ferrão is an Assistant Professor of English and Asian & Pacific Islander American Studies at William & Mary. He has been the recipient of fellowships from the Fulbright, Mellon, Endeavour, and Rotary programs, the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies, and the American Institute of Indian Studies. Curator of the 2017-18 exhibition Goa, Portugal, Mozambique: The Many Lives of Vamona Navelcar , he edited a book of the same title (2017) to accompany this retrospective of the artist’s work. His scholarly articles appear in Research in African Literatures , Verge: Studies in Global Asias , and Middle East Journal of Culture and Communication among other journals.

Angela Ferr ão  is an illustrator and satirical cartoonist. She has published a book for children titled  Fuloos Plays with the Sun (2013), illustrated a book of Goan stories for children, and been part of an anthology of gender-based stories, where her narrative deals with women's employment. She has worked in different media, from animation to instructional design. Her main interest is humor, through which she attempts to show the irony of social and political life in her home state of Goa and the world. Her work appears in several publications, including Countercurrents.org , Tehelka , eTropic , and others.

Maria Vanessa de Sa is an architect, urban designer, and artist. Her art explores stories from the everyday world, on being a woman, a mother, and a Catholic in Goa. She is conversant in multiple media and has also collaborated with other artists and writers. Most recently, she provided art direction for the graphic novel The Destination Is the Journey , which features the artwork of Vamona Navelcar and a story by R. Benedito Ferrão, and was published in Goa/Portugal/Mozambique: The Many Lives of Vamona Navelcar (2017). She also collaborated with Fernando Velho on the art direction of Song Sung Blue (2019), a hybrid illustrated novel by Savia Viegas.

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Goa receives first charter flight from Uzbekistan as tourist season peaks

The first-ever charter flight to Goa from Uzbekistan landed at the Manohar International Airport near here on Thursday amid the tourist season reaching its peak in the coastal state, an official said.

A senior state tourism department official said the flight from the Central Asian nation, whose weekly service will continue till March-end, landed at the new airport in Mopa in North Goa shortly post-noon and travellers were accorded a warm welcome.

"The historic flight, Centrum Air Q6 5545, operated by Elaine Avia in Uzbekistan and Goa's operating agent Concord Exotic Voyages Pvt Ltd, landed at the Mopa airport at 12:30 pm," he said.

The official said this journey sets the stage for weekly charter flights, connecting Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent to Goa, until March 21, 2024.

State Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said the maiden charter flight from Uzbekistan marks the commencement of what ''we anticipate will be a prolonged and fruitful collaboration''.

"We eagerly look forward to forging more such partnerships with the government and people of Uzbekistan, fostering cultural exchange and fortifying the tourism bonds between our nations," he said.

Khaunte said the Indian embassy in Uzbekistan has been instrumental in supporting the charter service to Goa, playing a pivotal role in fostering this significant development.

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Fish curry-rice is ‘spirit of Goa’, say stakeholders; welcome govt decision for its mandatory serving at beach shacks

Visitors need to be made aware of the traditional Goan cuisine, they said, adding that this will also help in promoting food tourism in the coastal state.

Panaji: Fisherfolk and a shack owners’ body have welcomed the Goa government’s decision to make it mandatory for beach shacks to serve ‘fish curry-rice’, saying this food reflects the “spirit of Goa”.

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Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Sunday said shacks on beaches will now have to mandatorily serve ‘fish curry-rice’, along with other Indian and international cuisines. “We have to project our rich cuisine to tourists,” he said.

The compulsory inclusion of the coconut-based preparation, savoured for its tangy and spicy taste, in the menu is part of the state’s new Shack Policy that aims to promote the Goan cuisine, Khaunte said.

Till now, shacks along the shoreline offered North Indian food, but Goan dishes were not available at these places, he said. The government has now made it compulsory for shacks to “display and serve” the Goan food, including fish curry-rice, the minister said.

“Fish curry-rice is the spirit of Goa which we need to introduce to all visitors arriving in the state,” fisherman Francis Fernandes from South Goa, locally known as Pele, told PTI. He said the state’s traditional food has been made part of the tourism industry through the Shack Policy, which is a welcome step.

“Tourists should know about the traditional Goan cuisine,” said Pele, who shot to fame when UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murthy earlier this year took a ride in a boat owned by the fisherman at the Benaulim beach in South Goa.

Shack Owners’ Welfare Society (SOWS) president Cruz Cardoso said they are willing to abide by the rule.

“We are happy that the Goan cuisine, and specially fish curry-rice, will be served at the shacks. This will help us introduce food tourism to the visitors,” he said.

All the shack owners should abide by the government’s rule, said Pele, who in November last year showed traditional fishing techniques to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and later served him cooked fish at his place.

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