Panjim, September 28: Goa Tourism carved itself a milestone this World Tourism Day. For the first time in its history,  the State  has bagged two prestigious National Awards  for 2015-16– Most Innovative use of Information Technology: Social Media/Mobile App by Goa Tourism Development  Corporation  and  Best State/UT Comprehensive Development  of Tourism (Rest of India)(Third Prize – Joint  Winner).

The two  prestigious National Tourism Awards were presented  to Goa by the  Hon’ble  President  of India, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind at a glittering function at Vigyan Bhavan   in New Delhi today. The award ceremony was presided over  by the  Hon’ble Minister  of State  (Independent charge) for Tourism, Mr. Alphons Kannanthanam.

The NTA function coincided with the occasion of World Tourism Day, 27^th September 2017. The awards were received by the Hon’ble Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Mr. Nilesh Cabral and Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Nikhil Desai.

The NTA awards have been instituted since 1990 and presented to State governments/UTs and  several other tourism bodies in recognition of their performance in  the respective fields of travel, tourism and hospitality encouraging healthy competition with an aim to promote tourism.  During the last five years, Goa Tourism has powered several campaigns on Goa as an Ideal Wedding Tourism Destination, Goa as a Monsoon Destination, Goa as an Adventure tourism destination etc.

The Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar today said, “I  am extremely  happy and congratulate  the Department  of Tourism and Goa Tourism  Development  Corporation  for  their  outstanding performance which has brought name and fame  to Goa Tourism. I congratulate Chairman of GTDC, Mr.  Nilesh Cabral and his dedicated team for   adopting various initiatives one of which has brought this   a huge laurel in the category of Innovative Use of Information Technology.  I wish Goa Tourism many more awards and laurels.”

Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman  of Goa  Tourism Development  Corporation said, “ I am  extremely honoured  today to receive  such a huge recognition from the President  of India  for  the Corporation’s  innovative  initiative.  During the last five years,   under my chairmanship,  the GTDC has  worked  in the  right  direction  and  has give  a new face to  Goa Tourism.  I take this  opportunity  to congratulate the entire  team  at GTDC and  Dept.  of Tourism  for working  wholeheartedly  in this  endeavour  and  seek continued support from everyone in the future.”

About the Awards:

Most Innovative Use of Information Technology- Social Media/Mobile App

This was for a campaign  run  for the tourists  and  by the tourists  ‘Tourism  by Tourists’ which was aimed  at building  the longest running  digital testimonial campaign  for a travel brand. The goal of the campaign was to raise credibility for the State through travellers’ opinions and online publishers (bloggers/photographers/magazines etc).

Best State/UT ‘Comprehensive Development of Tourism (Rest of India) (Third Prize Joint Winner)

This award recognizes Goa as a dream tourist destination for all tourists visiting this State.  It highlights Goa as   a beach tourism destination along with other tourism facets namely bird watching, waterfalls, religious tourism, eco -tourism etc.

Panaji: September 28, 2017 … The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs will confer its ‘Dilip Sardessai Sports Excellence Award’ for the year 2015-16 to Shri. P. Anand, an International Medallist in Taekwondo Sport. The award will be presented at the hands of Chief Minister, Shri. Manohar Parrikar in the presence of Minister for Sports Shri. Manohar Azgaonkar on September 29, 2017 at 4.30 p.m. at the Multipurpose Hall of the Directorate of Art and Culture at Patto, Panaji, Smt. Nandini Dilip Sardesai and Shri. Rajdeep Sardesai will attend the said function.

Panaji: 27/09/2017 … World Tourism Day is celebrated globally with an objective of focusing on areas of tourism importance that will help every tourism destination evolve and grow in the segment. Goa is indeed a fast growing tourism destination with a focus on taking its stakeholders hand in hand towards achieving sustainable development in tourism.

The state’s beauty and bountiful resources is a huge blessing for the state and Goa Tourism has provided the right platforms for tourism stakeholders to explore employment opportunities and to give tourists that blissful experience. I acknowledge the efforts put in by everyone in making Goa a much sought tourism destination and to all the visiting tourists for choosing Goa as their preferred holiday spot.

panaji 27/09/2017 …  On the occasion of World Tourism Day, I, on behalf of Goa Tourism, extend my best wishes to all our stakeholders. I thank each and every Goan for their wholehearted co-operation and support in making our State a leading tourism destination.

I also greet all the tourists, who visit God’s Own Abode and appeal to them to enjoy Goa in a responsible manner. I would urge all our local stakeholders to consider themselves as Ambassadors of Goa Tourism and treat every visitor to the State with warmth and hospitality that Goa is famous for.

Today, World Tourism Day is focusing on ‘Sustainable Tourism: A tool for development’. Inspired by this idea, Goa Tourism is endeavoring to ensure that its local stakeholders engage in sustainable tourism, including promotion of rural tourism. In the months to come, Goa Tourism will be adding new infrastructure, activities, and services that will continue to bring in more tourists and offer tourists an enriching experience.

Panjim, September 26: Grand celebrations all across the State will mark World Tourism Day on Wednesday, 27^th September 2017. In  keeping with the theme, Sustainable Tourism: A Tool for Development,   the Department  of Tourism, Govt. of Goa  and  Goa Tourism Development  Corporation in association with India Tourism and Travel and Tourism  Association  of Goa  have  organized  programmes all through the day.

The Hon’ble Minister  for Tourism, Govt. of Goa, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar and  the Hon’ble   Chairman of GTDC, Mr. Nilesh Cabral   have extended their  greetings  to  all Goans, tourism  stakeholders, visitors to Goa  and  all those  associated  with Goa Tourism  and  have  sought continued support from  everyone  in  the endeavor to  pursue  tourism sustainability  in the State of Goa.

Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt. of Goa is  also scheduled to speak  on Goa Doordarshan at 5.30 pm on Wednesday about his vision and mission on promoting ‘Goa as among top global destinations’.

Earlier in the day, Goa Tourism will welcome tourists at the Goa International Airport and the KRC station in Margao. An exclusive boat cruise will also be arranged for special children on River Mandovi.

During the day, programmes that will be held   include sightseeing on the Hop-on Hop-off buses for college students. Quiz competitions will be held for colleges in the North and South Goa and a painting competition for students from Fine Arts College, Panjim.

Many tourism stakeholders are also organizing World Tourism Day programmes across the State.  Cleanliness and sanitation campaigns under the Swachh Bharat initiative are also being organized in several coastal and tourist locations.

Goa Tourism, GTDC, India Tourism and  TTAG have cordially  invited  everyone to partake in the celebrations  on Wednesday and to  make the  events  an exciting  and wholesome  experience for  everyone.