Panaji: Goa Tourism will organise a series of programmes ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27, focusing on inclusive and experiential tourism and bringing together youth, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and children with special needs, officials said on Tuesday.
The week-long celebrations, being organised by the Department of Tourism in association with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), will feature activities including cycling, kayaking, nature walks, birdwatching, culinary trails, heritage and museum visits, hinterland exploration, and local cultural experiences, a senior department official said.
He said the initiatives are aimed at showcasing tourism experiences beyond Goa’s conventional beach offerings while encouraging greater participation from different sections of society.
Specially curated experiences, including boat cruises and other activities, will be organised for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and children with special needs as part of the focus on accessible tourism.
The celebrations will also include a programme on the role of technology, digital initiatives, and artificial intelligence in transforming tourism, officials said.
“World Tourism Day is an opportunity for us to look at tourism through a wider lens and ensure that the benefits and experiences of tourism are accessible to more people,” State Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte said.
The programmes will bring together people, particularly youth, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and children with special needs, while showcasing Goa’s nature, cuisine, culture, heritage, and hinterland, he said.
Director of Tourism Kedar Naik said the programmes were aimed at highlighting the diversity of Goa’s tourism landscape while making participation more inclusive.
“From nature and adventure to culinary, cultural, and heritage experiences, the programmes allow people to discover different facets of Goa,” he said.
The World Tourism Day celebrations will culminate on September 27.
