Goa, tourism, cultural heritage, culinary traditions, MakeMyTrip, partnership, sustainable tourism, Regenerative Tourism, public-private collaboration, cultural exploration, tourism development, environmental conservation
Goa Government Partners with MakeMyTrip to Boost State's Culture and Cuisine

In an effort to showcase more than just its famous beaches, the Government of Goa has joined hands with leading Indian travel company MakeMyTrip (MMT) to promote the state's cultural and culinary heritage. The collaboration, sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, aims to transform Goa into a year-round destination.

The partnership between the public and private sectors seeks to introduce innovative initiatives highlighting Goa's lesser-known treasures inland. These initiatives will focus on the state's diverse cultural fabric and its delicious culinary offerings.

MakeMyTrip plans to leverage its expertise in digital innovation and marketing to expand the appeal of Goa beyond its coastal attractions. The Tourism Minister of Goa emphasized the government's dedication to this cause, citing Goa's status as the first state to launch the Regenerative Tourism initiative.

Under this initiative, Goa aims to connect eleven places of worship to create a travel circuit called the Ekadasha Teertha campaign. Over the next three years, the Tourism Department aims to promote environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and community empowerment through spirituality, indigeneity, civilizational and cultural nationalism, and conscious tourism.

Rohan Khaunte, Minister of Tourism, IT, E&C, and Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa, expressed confidence that the partnership with MakeMyTrip would help tourists discover the true essence of Goa while ensuring equitable distribution of tourism's economic benefits across the state.

Additionally, the collaboration intends to create a Cultural Map of Goa, highlighting its cultural richness and culinary heritage. MakeMyTrip will promote various initiatives to showcase Goa's depth and promote unique travel itineraries and local festivals.

Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, emphasized their commitment to showcasing Goa's unexplored facets, promoting homestays in rural areas, and fostering sustainable tourism practices.

A significant aspect of the MoU is the focus on sustainable tourism. MakeMyTrip plans to utilize over 500,000 single-use plastic bottles to construct a public art display, emphasizing environmental preservation and the importance of sustainable tourism practices.