Goa Positions Itself as a Future-Ready Tourism State at Arabian Travel Market 2025, Dubai

Post by : Dr. Amrinder Pal Singh

Dubai, 29 April 2025: The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, underway at the Dubai World Trade Centre, stands as a beacon for global tourism dialogue, innovation, and exchange. Drawing participation from over 150 countries, ATM continues to reinforce Dubai’s position as a confluence of cultures and commerce, and a premier stage for the world's most ambitious tourism narratives.

Amidst this distinguished gathering, the Indian state of Goa has emerged as a focal point of attention — articulating a redefined tourism vision that is contemporary, community-driven, and environmentally attuned.

Leading the delegation is Hon’ble Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, IT, Environment and Climate, Government of Goa — a statesman known for his forward-looking leadership and grassroots commitment. His presence in Dubai underscores the strategic importance Goa places on the Middle East as a growing tourism and investment partner. 

In an exclusive interaction with DXB News Network, the Hon’ble Minister remarked: “Goa is no longer a seasonal retreat; it is evolving into a destination of depth, dialogue, and diversity. ATM 2025 presents an ideal platform to showcase how our tourism model is harmonising tradition with transformation.”

Goa at ATM 2025 – From Representation to Reinvention.

At the heart of Goa’s presence in Dubai lies a message — that the state is building a tourism ecosystem rooted in authenticity, sustainability, and international accessibility. The Goa Tourism Pavilion at ATM has received attention for its emphasis on:

• Regenerative tourism, promoting environmental restoration and community empowerment.

• Wellness and spiritual tourism, anchored in India’s ancient traditions.

• Homestay and Caravan Tourism policies, offering immersive experiences across Goa’s hinterlands.

• Seamless air connectivity via Mopa and Dabolim airports, enhancing access from the Gulf.

The delegation is actively engaging in B2B interactions, investor briefings, and regional collaborations — aimed at positioning Goa as a viable, year-round destination not only for leisure but also for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) and high-value experiential tourism.

Goa’s Model: Innovation, Infrastructure, and Inclusion

The state’s recent reforms under Minister Khaunte’s stewardship have set benchmarks nationally:

• Launch of the Beach Vigil App for citizen-participation in coastal management.

• Rollout of the Goa Taxi App, empowering local drivers through a no-commission digital platform.

• Strategic MoUs with Mastercard, Airbnb, Agoda, Fly91, and MakeMyTrip, reinforcing Goa’s global partnerships.

• Implementation of Ease of Doing Business reforms in tourism, cutting red tape and fostering investor confidence.

The introduction of spiritual circuits, village trails, and regenerative farm stays reflects a broader policy shift: to make tourism not just profitable, but purposeful.

Minister Rohan A. Khaunte – Leadership Rooted in Vision

A technocrat by training and a public servant by resolve, Shri Khaunte’s leadership has bridged technology, tradition, and transparency. Under his guidance, Goa has received:

• Tourism Minister of the Year 2024 – PATWA Awards, Berlin

• Excellence in Tourism Leadership Award 2024 – Today’s Traveller Awards

• Best State for Regenerative Tourism – National Category

His ability to balance policy with people-centric impact — through welfare schemes, IT cluster development, and digital governance — has earned him regard both within and beyond Goa.There could be no more fitting backdrop than Dubai — a city that epitomises ambition, excellence, and hospitality — for Goa to present its future-facing vision. ATM 2025, with its theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”, has provided Goa the precise platform to align its goals with international sustainability standards and regional collaboration.

As Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, aptly noted: “ATM is not only a marketplace but a meeting of minds. Goa’s presence here allows us to exchange ideas, foster trust, and build resilient tourism partnerships.” Goa’s participation in ATM 2025 is not an isolated exhibition—it is part of a larger transformation unfolding within Indian tourism. With a clear roadmap, reformist leadership, and a growing global reputation, Goa stands not only as a destination of beauty, but as a model of responsible growth.

In Dubai, amidst a congregation of nations, Goa has found its place—not merely at the table, but at the forefront.

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