Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 15: A travel trade delegation from Almaty, Kazakhstan, arrived in Goa as part of a familiarisation trip aimed at strengthening tourism collaboration and promoting the coastal state as a preferred international destination.

The visit coincided with the tourism department’s participation in the three-day Travel & Tourism Fair held in Bengaluru.

The two initiatives brought together tourism boards, tour operators, travel agents and hospitality stakeholders from across the country.

Ernest Dias, chief operating officer of TCI and SITA, facilitated the visit of the Kazakh delegation as part of the state’s outreach to emerging international markets.

Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said Kazakhstan represents a promising region for tourism growth.

Tourism director Kedar Naik said such familiarisation visits help strengthen the state’s engagement with new international markets.

“Familiarisation visits such as these are an important step in strengthening the state’s engagement with emerging international markets like Kazakhstan. By experiencing the destination firsthand, travel partners gain deeper insight into Goa’s diverse offerings, from culture and heritage to wellness and experiential tourism, enabling them to promote Goa effectively among travellers from their region,” he said.

During the visit, the delegation is expected to explore several attractions across the state, including heritage sites, spice plantations and other experiential tourism offerings to gain a deeper understanding of Goa’s tourism ecosystem.