From Georgia to Poland, Goa woos new tourism markets

Panaji: With charter arrivals from the UK, Germany, and Russia showing a dip, the Goa tourism department has turned to central Europe and the Caucasus region (which includes Georgia, south of Russia). After reaping windfalls in Tashkent last year, the department has now turned its marketing plans to Poland in central Europe and Georgia. Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan in central Asia.

Over the past week, tourism director Suneel Anchipaka has been holding roadshows in the capital of Georgia (Tbilisi) and Poland (Warsaw), with the hope that “invite-only” meetings will make Goa a sought-after destination for tourists from those countries. “The Georgian market holds immense promise for Goa’s tourism,” Anchipaka said. “We aimed to establish deeper connections, showcase Goa’s unparalleled experiences, and address the expectations of Georgian travellers.”

He added, “We are confident this initiative will enhance their understanding of what Goa has to offer and will result in Goa welcoming more charters and tourists from Georgia.”

During the roadshows, tourism department officials have been engaging with travel industry players to highlight Goa’s pristine beaches, cultural heritage, and vibrant festivals.

In Warsaw, the department attempted to bridge ties with Poland’s travel community by invoking memories of the Goa visit of Pope John Paul II, who was Polish.

“Poland is an important market for us, and this roadshow was a fantastic opportunity to engage with Polish stakeholders,” Anchipaka said. Polish charter operator Enter Air has already commenced direct flights to Goa’s Manohar International Airport.

“So, away from the UK, away from Russia, we now have new tourists coming in. It is very important that good tourists start coming to Goa, which they feel is like a second home,” tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said.

“The numbers this year are very encouraging in terms of international and domestic footfall.”

The tourism department organised a familiarisation tour for Polish tour operators on Thursday.