Goa Tourism powers ahead with two honours at National Tourism Awards

Goa Tourism carved itself a milestone this World Tourism Day. For the first time in its history, the State has bagged two prestigious National Awards for 2015-16– Most Innovative use of Information Technology: Social Media/Mobile App by Goa Tourism Development Corporation and Best State/UT Comprehensive Development of Tourism (Rest of India)(Third Prize – Joint Winner).

The two prestigious National Tourism Awards were presented to Goa by the Hon’ble President of India, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind at a glittering function at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi today. The award ceremony was presided over by the Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent charge) for Tourism, Mr. Alphons Kannanthanam.

The NTA function coincided with the occasion of World Tourism Day, 27th September 2017. The awards were received by the Hon’ble Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Mr. Nilesh Cabral and Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Nikhil Desai.

The NTA awards have been instituted since 1990 and presented to State governments/UTs and several other tourism bodies in recognition of their performance in the respective fields of travel, tourism and hospitality encouraging healthy competition with an aim to promote tourism. During the last five years, Goa Tourism has powered several campaigns on Goa as an Ideal Wedding Tourism Destination, Goa as a Monsoon Destination, Goa as an Adventure tourism destination etc.

The Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar today said, “I am extremely happy and congratulate the Department of Tourism and Goa Tourism Development Corporation for their outstanding performance which has brought name and fame to Goa Tourism. I congratulate Chairman of GTDC, Mr. Nilesh Cabral and his dedicated team for adopting various initiatives one of which has brought this a huge laurel in the category of Innovative Use of Information Technology. I wish Goa Tourism many more awards and laurels.”

Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation said, “ I am extremely honoured today to receive such a huge recognition from the President of India for the Corporation’s innovative initiative. During the last five years, under my chairmanship, the GTDC has worked in the right direction and has give a new face to Goa Tourism. I take this opportunity to congratulate the entire team at GTDC and Dept. of Tourism for working wholeheartedly in this endeavour and seek continued support from everyone in the future.”

About the Awards:

Most Innovative Use of Information Technology- Social Media/Mobile App
This was for a campaign run for the tourists and by the tourists ‘Tourism by Tourists’ which was aimed at building the longest running digital testimonial campaign for a travel brand. The goal of the campaign was to raise credibility for the State through travellers’ opinions and online publishers (bloggers/photographers/magazines etc).

Best State/UT ‘Comprehensive Development of Tourism (Rest of India) (Third Prize Joint Winner)
This award recognizes Goa as a dream tourist destination for all tourists visiting this State. It highlights Goa as a beach tourism destination along with other tourism facets namely bird watching, waterfalls, religious tourism, eco -tourism etc.