Tourism in Goa
The state of Goa, in India, is famous for its beaches and places of worship. Tourism is its primary industry, and is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with decreased tourist activity inland.
Foreign tourists, mostly from Europe, arrive in Goa in winter, whilst the summer and monsoon seasons see many Indian tourists. Goa handled 2.29% of all foreign tourist arrivals in the country in 2011. This relatively small state is situated on the west coast of India, between the borders of Maharashtra and Karnataka, and is better known to the world as a former Portuguese enclave on Indian soil. Thus, Tourism forms the backbone of Goa's economy.
Influenced by over 450 years of Portuguese rule and Latin culture, Goa presents a somewhat different representation of the country to foreign visitors. Major tourist attractions include Bom Jesus Basilica, Fort Aguada, a wax museum on Indian culture, and a heritage museum. The Churches and Convents of Goa have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
As of 2013, Goa was the destination of choice for Indian and foreign tourists, particularly Britons, with limited means who wanted to. The state was hopeful that changes could be made which would attract a more demographic.
On 24 November 2017, Delta Corp Limited claimed to have set up the first casino game training course centre in India at Goa.
Beaches
Goa's beaches cover about of its coastline. These beaches are divided into North and South Goa.[North Goa] beaches
;PernemQuerim Beach
Kalacha Beach
Arambol Beach
Mandrem Beach
Ashvem Beach
Morjim Beach
;Bardez
Chapora Beach
Vagator Beach
Ozran Beach
Anjuna Beach
Baga Beach
Calangute Beach
Candolim Beach
Sinquerim Beach
Coco Beach
Kegdole Beach
;Tiswadi
Miramar Beach
Caranzalem Beach
Dona Paula Beach
Vaiguinim Beach
Bambolim Beach
Siridao Beach
[South Goa] beaches
;MormugaoBogmalo Beach
Baina Beach
Hansa Beach
Hollant Beach
Cansaulim Beach
Velsao Beach
;Salcete
Arossim Beach
Utorda Beach
Majorda Beach
Betalbatim Beach
Colva Beach
Sernabatim Beach
Benaulim Beach
Varca Beach
Cavelossim Beach
Mobor Beach
Betul Beach
;Quepem
Canaiguinim Beach
;Canacona
Cabo de rama Beach
Kakolem Beach
Dharvalem Beach
Cola Beach
Agonda Beach
Palolem Beach
Patnem Beach
Rajbag Beach
Talpona Beach
Galgibag Beach
Polem Beach
Sea plane service
The government of Goa conducted trials of a seaplane on the Mandovi river on 23 May 2015. The test plane took off from Dabolim airport and successfully landed in the Mandovi river. The seaplane service had started post-monsoon since 2015.Wildlife
, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary harbour Goa's rich bio-diversity. Foxes, wild boars and migratory birds are also found in the forests of Goa. The avifauna includes kingfishers, mynas and parrots.The famous Dudhsagar Falls, India's fifth tallest at 310 metres, is located inside Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary at the Goa - Karnataka border.
The renowned Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the island of Chorao. The endangered olive ridley sea turtle can be found on Morjim Beach in Pernem, Northern Goa and Galgibaga Beach in Canacona, Southern Goa. The turtles are listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act. Morjim Beach is also hosting to a number of migratory birds from late September to early April. The area surrounding the shore at Tembwada in Morjim also abounds in various species of birds. A number of international bird watching tours are organised in the area.
Museums
There are several museums located in Goa:- The Goa State Museum set up in 1996 aims at centralising and preserving antiquities, art objects and objects of cultural importance, depicting the different aspects of the Goan History and Culture. It is located at Patto in Goa's capital city of Panaji.
- The Naval Aviation Museum near Dabolim is one among three of its kind in India.
- Goa Science Centre, located at the Miramar beach in Panaji. was opened in December 2001 and it houses many wonders of Science and Astronomy.
- Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery located in Old Goa is run by the Archaeological Survey of India.
- The Museum of Christian Art has a number of paintings, sculptures and religious silverware dating back to the 16th century.
- 'Ancestral Goa' is dedicated to the preservation of art, culture and environment and was established to preserve Goa's past and its rich traditions. This magnificent project is the result of a lot of meticulous research, planning and hardwork. Located in Loutolim, it opened to the public in April 1995.
- The Museum of Goa is a privately owned museum of art in Pilerne, Goa. MOG, as it is commonly known, is one of the largest contemporary art spaces in India. Founded by the artist, Dr. Subodh Kerkar, in 2015, MOG tries to depict Goan history and culture through modern art. The Museum is also an active cultural space, hosting events, talks, workshops and discussions. MOG hosts exhibitions all year round, with its largest being the Goa Affordable Art Fest which often starts in December and lasts till the end of January.
- The Big Foot Cross Museum is located at 'Ancestral Goa' in Loutolim. It is an unusual collection of crosses, from all over the world.
- The Pilar Museum is located on the Pilar hillock where the Pilar Seminary is also located. The Museum was founded by Fr Costa, and highlights various finds on and around the Pilar hillock and now preserved in the seminary museum.
- The 'Wax World' Museum, inaugurated in 2008 is located in Old Goa contains exquisite wax statues. The statues have been sculpted by Shreeji Bhaskaran, who owns the museum and is also responsible for giving India its first wax museum located at Ooty, Karnataka, which was set up in March 2007.
- 'Goa Chitra', established by Victor Hugo Gomes, is an ethnographic museum in Benaulim showcasing traditional Goan farming implements and other Goan antiques.
Heritage homes
- The Fernandes house, also known as 'Voddlem Ghor' in Cotta is an architectural marvel in Chandor.
- The Menezes Bragança House in Chandor was built circa 1730. It was once owned by Luís de Menezes Bragança, Tristão de Bragança Cunha, Beatriz de Menezes Bragança, and her sister Berta Menezes Bragança.
- The Vivian Coutinho House in Fatorda is among the few Goan houses with decorative Azulejo tiles.
Forts
Administration
The administration of tourism in Goa lies with Minister for Tourism, Dilip Parulekar, and Secretary and Director for Tourism, Mathew Samuel. Other stakeholders in Goa tourism are the Goa Tourism Development Corporation and the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa. Prachi Desai has been appointed as the face of Goa's Tourism.Goa Tourism Development Corporation
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. carries out tourism commercial activities like conducting sight seeing tours and river cruises. It also manages 12 hotels with a total of 525 rooms. Also, tourist can opt-in from tourism site in India. They are recognised by tourism minister of India, the government of India to boost Indian tourism sector by providing a world-class tour to tourist.Outline of tourism in India
- List of World Heritage Sites in India
- List of national parks of India
- List of lakes of India
- List of waterfalls in India
- List of State Protected Monuments in India
- List of beaches in India
- Incredible India
- List of Geographical Indications in India
- Medical tourism in India
- List of botanical gardens in India
- List of hill stations in India
- List of gates in India
- List of zoos in India
- List of protected areas of India
- List of aquaria in India
- List of forts in India
- List of forests in India
- Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India
- Hindu pilgrimage sites in India
- List of rock-cut temples in India
- Wildlife sanctuaries of India
- List of rivers of India
- List of mountains in India
- List of ecoregions in India
- Coral reefs in India
- List of stadiums in India