NT Reporter
Margao
Known for welcoming tourists by charter flights and cruises, Goa has now opened its doors to charter trains. On Friday, a special train carrying 800 employees of Chennai-based real estate company Casagrand arrived in the state.
The visitors were greeted at Margao railway station with a red-carpet welcome, flowers, and a dance performance showcasing Goa’s traditional art forms. The tourists are scheduled to stay in the state for
two days.
“This is the first time we are welcoming charter trains with 800 plus tourists. After charter flights and cruise liners, the Tourism Department we are now exploring the idea of MICE tourism,” deputy director Rajesh Kale, who was present to welcome
the visitors, told The Navhind Times.
The initiative focuses on Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), aiming to position Goa as a destination beyond beaches — for corporate events, destination weddings, and related gatherings.
Casagrand Managing Director Arun MN welcomed the move. “Goa is the place we love to go to anytime in the year. It is a holiday within India. This is a start. We have taken our company and employees to international destinations like Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, London, Spain and Australia. This year we wanted an Indian destination where the company can just unwind. It should be promoted as a tourist destination,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude for the warm reception. “It was a kind reception and we have had international destinations, but have not had this kind of reception. Goa can do more of these kinds of charter trains and it surely will get a lot of interest and can be an important spot not just for India but also for the rest of the world,” said Arun.
