Gandhinagar, Aug 06: Reinforcing its commitment to expanding tourism partnerships across Western India, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, marked a successful opening at TTF Ahmedabad 2026 with the inauguration of the Goa Pavilion by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendra Patel, alongside Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, in the presence of Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Satpal Maharaj, senior government officials and tourism stakeholders.
The inaugural ceremony reflected the growing collaboration between the states in promoting domestic tourism and creating integrated travel experiences. During the interactions, Goa and Gujarat also explored deeper collaboration, including the possibility of an MoU to promote cultural and spiritual tourism exchanges, aimed at strengthening tourism ties and encouraging greater visitor movement between the two states.
Led by Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Goa’s delegation comprised senior officials from the Department of Tourism, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), leading hotels and resorts, destination management companies, travel agencies and hospitality stakeholders, collectively showcasing the state’s evolving tourism ecosystem and engaging with travel trade professionals from across the country.
The Goa Pavilion emerged as one of the key attractions on the opening day, drawing strong interest from tour operators, travel companies, destination wedding planners, MICE organisers, hospitality stakeholders and visitors. The pavilion highlighted Goa’s diverse tourism offerings, including destination weddings, MICE, spiritual tourism, wellness, culinary experiences, adventure tourism, hinterland circuits and regenerative tourism initiatives, reinforcing the state’s positioning as a year-round destination.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, said: “We are grateful to the people of Gujarat for their continued love and trust in Goa as one of their preferred travel destinations. Gujarat remains a key source market for us, and TTF Ahmedabad provides an important platform to strengthen partnerships with the travel trade while exploring new avenues of collaboration, including cultural and spiritual tourism. Alongside our globally recognised beaches, Goa today offers avenues for world-class destination weddings, immersive spiritual circuits such as the Ekadasha Teertha Yatra, vibrant hinterland experiences and community-led tourism initiatives that encourage visitors to discover a deeper side of the state. Going forward, enhanced air connectivity between Gujarat and Goa will play a pivotal role in unlocking greater tourism potential and creating wider economic opportunities for both regions.”
A major highlight at this year’s exhibition was Goa’s emphasis on destination weddings and MICE tourism, supported by premium hospitality infrastructure, luxury resorts, heritage venues, modern convention facilities and seamless connectivity through both Manohar International Airport and Goa International Airport. The Department also showcased the recently launched Ekadasha Teertha Yatra, a curated spiritual circuit connecting eleven ancient temples across Goa, alongside the state’s growing wellness, culinary and adventure tourism offerings that encourage visitors to explore Goa beyond its beaches.
Throughout the exhibition, Goa Tourism and its industry partners held a series of productive business meetings, buyer-seller interactions and networking sessions focused on strengthening trade partnerships, expanding market outreach and promoting Goa’s diverse tourism experiences to domestic and international travellers. The Department’s participation at TTF Ahmedabad forms part of its long-term strategy to diversify tourism offerings, encourage longer visitor stays, strengthen interstate collaborations and advance sustainable and regenerative tourism that creates lasting value for local communities and the tourism ecosystem.