At the India Today Tourism Survey & Awards 2026, Goa tourism minister Rohan Khaunte outlined a vision of his state as a year-round festival destination
UPDATED: Jun 21, 2026 00:48 IST
Rohan Khaunte began his session at the India Today Tourism Survey & Awards 2026 with a clarification—Goa’s “susegaad” mentality doesn’t mean a laidback attitude but more a feeling of contentment. But as the state’s tourism minister, he came with a more driven mindset, highlighting the administration’s primary objectives.
Since 2022, when Dr Pramod Sawant’s government took the reins, there has been a significant effort to showcase Goa beyond its beaches. “We are speaking about other verticals and building it too—villages, adventure, wellness, culinary, heritage and tradition,” said Khaunte during the session ‘Beyond the beaches: Redefining tourism for a new India’.
Sports tourism is another area of exploration. The change in strategy is necessary to keep up with the changing thoughts and needs of tourists. “Tourists who come to Goa make it their second home or want to come back to explore,” Khaunte noted.
Goa’s lovely yellow Portuguese villas are already etched in the minds of travellers all over the globe. But Khaunte wants to add more memorable imagery. Among his initiatives is to activate a homestay policy with a special focus on women’s empowerment; and
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