62 home stays are registered with tourism department: Khaunte

Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, in a written reply to the Goa Assembly, said that till date no caravan tour firm has been registered with the state tourism department.

“A space for caravan parking has been identified in Lolim village of Canacona taluka,” Khaunte said in response to a question from Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardesai.

Khaunte said that so far sixty-two homestays have been registered with the state tourism department. Of the 62 homestays registered, 52 are in North Goa and ten in South Goa.

Responding to another unstarred question, Khaunte said the focus areas for enhancing tourism in the state are eco- and nature-based tourism, with greater interest in promoting less explored areas; Spiritual, Heritage & Culture, Adventure & Sports Tourism, MICE & Wedding Tourism, Leisure & Entertainment, Wellness & Medical and Goa Water (Coastal & Rivers).

The reply said that with regard to environment and nature-based tourism, the government has launched homestay and caravan tourism policy, signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AirBnB, organized e-bike tours.

“To promote eco-tourism activities, Goa Tourism has appointed an operator for treks and trails at Dudhsagar Waterfalls,” it said. To promote adventure and sports tourism, bungee jumping at Mayem Lake, motor gliding and various other water sports have been introduced in Goa.

“Three tour agents have been empaneled by Goa Tourism for unique experiential tours like nature trails, heritage cruises, village walks, bird watching, culinary trails, camping and distillery tours,” the reply said.

The reply stated that a convention center at Rua-d’Orem Creek and a mini convention center at Margao are being developed to promote MICE and wedding tourism.