A heaven away from home

 

For almost three decades now GTDC (Goa Tourism Development Corporation) has been at the helm of the tourism industry in Goa. We have quite literally been the helmsman on board inviting and guiding tourists from the country and from abroad on an engaging and edifying journey across the beautiful land of Goa.

 

Set up as a Public Limited Company with a Memorandum and Articles of Association with a fullfledged Board of Directors, we have been both generous host and guide to millions of visitors from India and across the globe over the years. GTDC plays an active role in all commercial aspects of tourism, including providing accommodation, organizing sightseeing tours, cruises and other attractive packages.

Accommodation/Hotels

The properties which were transferred to and managed by GTDC are:

 

* Panaji Residency
* Miramar Residency
* Calangute Residency
* Old Goa Residency
* Calangute Residency Annexe
* Colva Residency
* Mapusa Residency
* Margao Residency
* Vasco Residency
* Farmagudi Hill Retreat
* Mayem Lake Residency
* Britona Residency

Tours

 

The GTDC conducts tours by road to cover every nook and corner of places of tourist interest in Goa. Tours are carefully designed to cater to all classes of tourists living at the residencies which enjoy excellent locations all over the state. Tour groups are accommodated in buses and cars. The tours leave from North or South Goa, exploring the entire state.

 

Cruises

Sea and river cruises are very much part of a visitor’s itinerary. GTDC invites visitors on balmy and exhilarating cruises on the ‘Santa Monica’ launch, the catamaran ‘Shantadurga’ and on the ML ‘Poseidon’. Enjoy the calm waters of the River Mandovi, golden sunsets, live music and games on these memorable cruises.

Package tours

Package tours have been carefully designed for couples, families and groups. GTDC aims to offer visitors locals package tours at reasonable rates throughout the year. These tours offer a comprehensive and enjoyable view of Goa, taking in all the best sights of Goa. GTDC also uses the skilled services of 15 Government recognized tour guides who have been trained extensively and intensively in the culture, tradition and history of Goa.

Culinary delights

Goan cuisine has so often been extolled and savoured by visitors , that we hardly need to embellish it any further. Let us instead revel on the observations made centuries ago by Alberto Mendolso, a Portuguese fidalgo, way back in 1639: “One of the noblest entertainments we had was that which was made us the 15th of January 1639 by a Portuguese Lord…Every course consisted of four dishes of meat, but they were so often changed and the meat so excellently dressed that I may truly say I never was at the like. For with the meat there was brought such variety of excellent fruits, that by the continual change and intermix of both, the appetite was sharpened and renewed’.

And here is the 16th century Dutch traveller John Huyghen Von Linschoten: ‘The rich fidalgos always kept a luxurious table…They treated their guests to a sumptuous repast consisting of the richest wines and choicest delicacies served on glittering plates: the table literally groaned under the weight of numerous viands, which were prepared by experts in the culinary art to satisfy their fastidious taste…’

Some things just don’t change.