Named Best Party Destination, Honeymoon, Leisure Destination
Mumbai, April 24, 2013: The continuous and determined effort of Goa Tourism to promote the state in India and abroad is reaping rewards. Goa Tourism has added feathers to its cap by winning three awards at ‘India’s Best Awards 2012’ announced by leading travel magazine announced by leading travel magazine Travel + Leisure India and South Asia in Mumbai on April 23, 2013.
The winners of the award were chosen through a reader’s and online poll conducted in 2012. Goa Tourism was declared the winner in three categories – winner of Best Party Destination, Best Honeymoon Destination, and Best Leisure Destination – as well as runner-up for Family and Wedding Destination (India).
Tourism Minister Mr Dilip Parulekar expressed his satisfaction at Goa sweeping the awards in Mumbai and hoped that the sterling performance of the Department of Tourism will continue in the days to come. He mentioned that the Department will focus on professional marketing and promotion and development of tourism infrastructure in the state through public and private funding.
Goa Tourism had introduced a progressive scheme named ‘Single Window Clearance’ for major and minor tourism events like beach weddings and music festivals. The scheme has received tremendous response from party and wedding organisers thereby enabling the state to emerge as the winner in the Party and Honeymoon Destination category.
Similarly, introduction of measures like the IRB tourist police has bolstered the security perception in the state. Goa has also undertaken aggressive marketing and promotional strategy in India and abroad thereby enabling it to be voted as the winner in the Leisure Destination category.
Mrs. Pamela Mascarenhas, Deputy Director of Goa Tourism, who was representing Goa Tourism received the award on behalf of Tourism Minister of Goa, Shri Dilip Parulekar. He said, “Winning so many awards gives us a lot of encouragement. Goa’s economy is majorly dependent on tourism and this kind of acknowledgement will help us in our efforts to attract tourists from India and abroad. Being the runner-up for Family and Wedding Destination is of special importance to us since our earnest efforts have been to make and promote Goa as a safe place for tourists.”
(R-L) Tourism Minister, Mr Dilip Parulekar with Chairman of GTDC, Mr Nilesh Cabral with the awards