In a strategic move to enrich monsoon tourism with authentic and immersive cultural experiences, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, is set to spotlight the state’s vibrant culinary heritage as a central theme of its July–August monsoon campaign. The initiative is part of the broader #GlowOnArrival campaign, which aims to redefine Goa as a regenerative, culture-first travel destination, especially during the lush and evocative monsoon season.
At the heart of this gastronomic push is the vision to position Goa as India’s leading food tourism destination, where food becomes not just a delight to the palate but a deep lens into the state’s heritage, landscapes, and multicultural identity.
Strategic Leadership and Collaborative Planning
The roadmap was laid out during a high-level planning meeting chaired by Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, and attended by key officials including Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director of GTDC; Shri Shawn Mendes, OSD to the Hon’ble Tourism Minister; Shri Gavin Dias, GM, GTDC; Shri Deepak Narvekar, DGM (Marketing), GTDC; Shri Jayesh Kankonkar, Deputy Director of Tourism; and Shri Jack Sukhija, President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), along with several stakeholders from Goa’s hospitality sector.
Culinary Experiences to Lead Monsoon Campaign
The campaign will see state-wide culinary activations that celebrate Goa’s monsoon delicacies, regional Indian fare, and cross-cultural fusion cuisine curated by top chefs and local kitchens. Restaurants, resorts, and food-led experiences will come together to host pop-ups, food trails, tasting menus, cooking workshops, and market tours focused on Goan ingredients and monsoon traditions.
“The objective is to offer visitors a new lens through which to discover Goa—its kitchens, ingredients, stories, and culinary innovations,” said Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism. “We want tourists to experience a unique side of Goa in the monsoon—one where every meal tells a story of our people, creativity, and connection to the land.”
Chefs will be encouraged to spotlight local produce, while restaurants will be incentivised to design monsoon menus featuring traditional dishes like uddmethi, patoleo, tambdi bhaji, tisreo, and shevyo, reimagined with global flair. Simultaneously, global cuisines served in Goa will be infused with regional ingredients, presenting visitors with a truly Goan-global food experience.
Month-Wise Themes Under #GlowOnArrival
This culinary celebration is part of a larger, month-wise thematic rollout under #GlowOnArrival, designed to offer immersive experiences from June to September 2025:
- June: Festivals of Goa – spotlighting São João, Chikhal Kalo, and other monsoon rituals
- July & August: Flavours of Goa – culinary journeys rooted in local ingredients and stories
- August: Experience & Adventures of Goa – featuring monsoon treks, plantation tours, and soft adventure
- September: Explore Goa – leading up to World Tourism Day with heritage drives, waterfall circuits, museums, and scenic routes
A Regenerative Tourism Vision
By making food the centrepiece of its monsoon campaign, Goa Tourism aims to catalyse tourism that is regenerative, culturally rooted, and sustainable. The campaign also serves to empower local communities, support homegrown enterprises, and drive year-round tourism beyond the peak season.
“Goa is not just a beach destination—it’s a living cultural mosaic,” said Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, MD, GTDC. “Through initiatives like this, we are reimagining tourism where travellers engage deeply with local life, stories, and traditions—especially through the universal language of food.”
As the monsoon rolls in, Goa is ready to serve up more than scenic beauty—it’s offering a culinary journey soaked in flavour, history, and soul.
