NT Reporter
Panaji
Goa’s tourism sector recorded a rebound in January, driven largely by mega events and a surge in the MICE segment, said the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG).
“The month of January has been a fantastic month for the Tourism Industry in Goa. Certain segments have done exceptionally well, registering strong growth. Small hotels have had a much better month with a decent rebound,” TTAG president Jack Sukhija said on Friday.
TTAG said the growth was fuelled primarily by two major events — India Energy Week, held from January 26 to 30, which attracted around 4,500 high-end delegates, and the World Legends Pro T20 League.
The trade body said the major shift for the tourism industry is being driven by MICE, mega events and
festivals.
While appreciating the efforts of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in facilitating these events, TTAG said Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and Director of Tourism Kedar Naik have been instrumental in driving sports tourism and the successful hosting of the cricket league.
TTAG also commended the government for making it compulsory for guesthouses operating in housing societies and residential colonies to obtain an NoC from the housing society or from 50 per cent of the residents before granting registration. “This will go a long way in ensuring that residents of such colonies/societies have peace of mind,” Sukhija said.
He added that it is important for the government to build on the positive momentum by addressing long-pending issues such as the use of technology in transport, a single-window system for event-related documentation, and improved waste management.
