The Goa Tourism delegation’s participation in the 2023 Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai was successful. Shri Shawn Mendes, OSD to Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Goa; Shri Suneel Anchipaka, Director of Tourism, Goa; and Shri Pradeep Binnar, Asst. Director, Department of Tourism, Goa formed the delegation that was headed by Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, IT & EC, and Printing & Stationery, Goa.
The delegation met with the CEOs of well-known airlines, tourism organisations, hospitality chains, and destination management firms in a number of high-level sessions. Exploring financial prospects for Goa’s infrastructure development and boosting visitor numbers by partnering with different airlines was the main goal of these sessions. The Honourable Minister also talked about ways to advertise Goa using their fly + hotel packages.
The CEO of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), H.E. Issam Kazim, attended the meeting with Goa Tourism as well. They discussed the interchange of events and festivals, best practices, and investment potential at the meeting.
The Red Sea and Amaala, two of Saudi Arabia’s most popular tourist attractions, were among the knowledge-sharing sessions in which the delegation took part. They also talked about the design of the projected smart city in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk Province.
Additionally, Goa Tourism met with Emirates Airlines, which is situated in Dubai. They talked about the potential for starting direct flights between Goa and Dubai. Goa is already scheduled for the summer on the airline’s ‘flydubai’ subsidiary’s four weekly flights between Dubai and Goa.
The delegation also met with Etihad Airways, which is based in Abu Dhabi, to discuss working together to promote Goa as a tourist destination. To increase the number of tourists visiting the state, they talked about the potential for opening a new route linking Goa and Abu Dhabi.
Qatar Airways and Goa Tourism also had a meeting. The team talked about the potential for working together with the airline to promote tourism in the state as the airline plans to expand its frequency to Goa.
The delegation also had a meeting with Saudia, the biggest airline in Saudi Arabia. They talked about the potential for starting direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Goa and fostering travel between the two places.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Goa Tourism and Jeddah-based Al Tayyar Travel Group at ATM 2023. The MoU intends to develop tourism to the state of Goa and promote it as a destination in the Saudi Arabian market.
Goa Tourism additionally took part in the Destination Pavilion, which featured the finest of Goa’s travel-related goods and services. They showcased a range of tourist attractions offered by the state, including its history, culture, outdoor activities, and gastronomy.
One of the top travel agencies in the UAE, Dnata Travel Group, with headquarters in Dubai, also met with the delegation. They talked about the potential for marketing Goa through their travel deals and boosting the number of visitors to the state.
Goa Tourism also met with Emaar Hospitality Group, the leading hotel management company in Dubai. They talked about the potential for working together to build the state’s tourism infrastructure and market Goa as a travel destination.
Representatives of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry also met with the group. They talked about marketing Goa in the Sharjah market and investment potential in the tourism industry.
In order to cap off the event, Goa Tourism hosted a dinner for influential members of the UAE travel and tourism sector. Goa’s tourism promotion and the strengthening of links between the two regions were the goals of the event.
Overall, the Arabian Travel Market 2023 was a successful event for Goa Tourism. The delegation studied investment potential to increase tourism and had beneficial discussions with influential business leaders.
