Panaji; December 26, 2025: In a significant step towards positioning Goa as a premium wellness tourism hub, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gomantak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya and Research Centre (GAMRC), Shiroda, Goa.
The MoU was signed at Paryatan Bhavan, Patto, in the presence of Minister for Tourism Rohan A. Khaunte, along with Kedar Ashok Naik (GCS), Director, Department of Tourism; Dr Neelesh Pramod Korde, Principal, Gomantak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya and Research Centre; Dr Sneha Bhagwat, President, Goa Council of Ayurvedic and Other Allied Indian Systems of Medicine; Dr Minal Joshi, Deputy Director (AYUSH), DHS, Government of Goa; Dr Dharmendra Desai, Vice President; and Dr Joy Periera, Officiating Registrar.
Under the MoU, both parties will collaborate to promote Ayurveda- and Yoga-based wellness tourism in Goa through the development of customised wellness packages and coordinated marketing initiatives across digital platforms and national and international forums. The collaboration also envisages the development of wellness tourism infrastructure, including Ayurveda and Yoga centres at tourism properties, creation of AYUSH information cells, development of promotional materials, and capacity building through training, research, and knowledge exchange.
Speaking about the partnership, Minister for Tourism Rohan Ashok Khaunte said that wellness tourism is an important pillar of Goa’s evolving tourism narrative. He said that the collaboration brings together traditional knowledge systems and structured tourism development, enabling Goa to offer authentic, high-quality wellness experiences while creating long-term value for local institutions and communities.
Director of Tourism Kedar Ashok Naik said that the signing of the MoU provides a structured framework for collaboration in the area of wellness tourism. He said that it will enable coordinated efforts in promotion, training, and knowledge exchange, while supporting the development of wellness-related initiatives aligned with the State’s tourism objectives.
The Memorandum of Understanding provides a broad framework for collaboration and will facilitate coordinated efforts in the promotion and development of wellness tourism in Goa. The partnership is expected to support knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the creation of structured wellness offerings aligned with the State’s tourism objectives.
