Goa Tourism woos foreign tourists from Iran

Panjim, 2 August 2015: Goa Tourism hosted a Familiarization (FAM) Trip for 18 travel and tour operators from Iran in association with Air Arabia, an exercise to market value based Monsoon Tourism in the Middle East. This is the third FAM trip organized in recent times by Goa Tourism for travel and tour operators from the oil rich provinces in the Gulf. Two separate Familiarization (FAM) trips from the Gulf regions were hosted in May and June 2015. The travel and tour operators from Iran arrived in Goa on July 25, 2015 on a 5 day FAM trip and were given insights into various tourism facets that Goa has to offer. During this FAM, the guests from Iran experienced the thrills of white water rafting in the river waters at Mhadei in Sattari. They also visited Atreya Vedic Farm at Mollem, important mosques, temples, churches, beaches and hotel properties, besides relishing Goan cuisine along with Goan folklore and culture.

Iran, though an energy super power, is also a tourism destination with diverse activities especially adventure. They met officials of Goa Tourism and tourism stakeholders where they engaged in B2B dialogues and exchanged views on promotion of tourism and travel.

The Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Mr Dilip Parulekar said, “Iran is an important tourism market for Goa Tourism and we are focusing our marketing strategies for attracting foreign tourists from this region. Goa is a perfect holiday destination for visitors from Iran and there is a surge in footfalls from Iran during the last two years."He pointed out that during the year 2014 as many as 3, 990 tourists from Iran visited Goa. While during the charter season 2014-15 as many as 42 charter flights landed in Goa from Iran bringing in 3,594 tourists. Foreign nationals from Iran also visit Goa as FITs.

The Hon’ble Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation Mr. Nilesh Cabral said, “Visitors from the Middle East opt to holiday in Goa during the monsoons. Goa has also carved a niche for itself as a Destination for Yoga, Ayurveda and Wellness tourism which are some of the newer tourism options that tourists from the Middle East seek while planning holidays in India. It is our endeavor to enhance footfalls from the Middle East and give them an experience of our new offerings in addition to adventure and all other tourism avenues.” Mr Yogesh Naik, Manager – Marketing (GTDC) co-ordinated the entire FAM tour for the Iranian contingent.

A B2B interaction with the Goan Travel Trade stakeholders was also organized and was well attended. This included a presentation on Goa Tourism. The Iranian contingent enjoyed luxury stays at the Radissons, Mayfair Hideaway Spa and Aililas in Goa and experienced Goan hospitality par excellence.