Goa Tourism identifies eastern India as priority source market; Khaunte cites direct Kolkata flights

Panaji, Jul 10 (PTI) Goa Tourism on Friday intensified its outreach to eastern India, with state minister Rohan Khaunte pitching the coastal state as a destination not just for beach holidays but also for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), destination weddings and hinterland experiences. Leading the Goa delegation at the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Kolkata 2026, Khaunte said direct IndiGo flights between the West Benagl capital and Goa, with a flying time of under three hours, make the state an attractive option for leisure as well as event-based tourism. Addressing travel trade representatives at the Goa Tourism stall, the tourism minister said the state was repositioning itself under the "Goa Beyond Beaches" campaign by promoting its cultural heritage, hinterland experiences, spiritual circuits and regenerative tourism alongside its traditional coastal attractions. "Kolkata is barely a three-hour, non-stop flight from Goa. There is no reason West Bengal should only think of us for a beach holiday. We want couples planning a wedding, companies planning a conference, and families planning a getaway to see Goa as their first choice," Khaunte said. He said the state government was investing in hospitality infrastructure, heritage tourism and experiential offerings to attract a wider range of visitors. The tourism department identified eastern India as a priority source market, citing direct air connectivity and increasing demand for leisure and event-driven travel from West Bengal and neighbouring states. Officials said Goa's credentials as a MICE destination had strengthened after hosting large international events such as India Energy Week earlier this year, while destination weddings were emerging as a significant high-value tourism segment. According to the department, Goa received around 28.5 lakh visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2026, with MICE tourism and destination weddings contributing to the growth. The department also highlighted Goa's longstanding appeal among tourists from West Bengal, pointing to cultural similarities, including a shared passion for football and seafood cuisine. At the three-day travel fair, Goa Tourism held interactions with travel agents, tour operators, wedding planners and corporate event organisers from West Bengal and other eastern and north-eastern states to promote the state's tourism offerings and strengthen business partnerships. The Goa delegation included officials from the Department of Tourism and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). PTI RPS BNM