Celebrating Goa’s next generation of tourism storytellers and cultural ambassadors

The Certified Storytelling Course certificates presentation ceremony was graced by Shri Kuldeep Arolkar Managing Director GTDC, Mr. Gavin Dias, GM Marketing GTDC, Mr. Deepak Narvekar, DY GM Mktg GTDC, Prof. Tiotone Vaz Principal Don Bosco college panaji, and Mr. Varun Hegde, Founder Soul Travelling.

Together towards promoting responsible, experiential, and sustainable tourism in Goa

GTDC collaborates with Soul Travelling and Don Bosco College Panaji to nurture experiential tourism ambassadors

Panaji, Goa 13 May 2026: In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening responsible and experience-driven tourism in Goa, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), in collaboration with Soul Travelling and Don Bosco College Panaji, successfully concluded the “Certified Storytelling Course”, a unique programme designed to nurture a new generation of tourism storytellers and cultural ambassadors.

Certificates were presented to the participants in the special ceremony held at Mhadei Board Room of GTDC. Goa tourism film was played during the certificate presentation ceremony.  Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, attended the function as the Chief Guest. Also present at the event were Mr. Gavin Dias, General Manager (Marketing), GTDC; Shri Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager (Marketing), GTDC; Prof. Teotone Vaz, Principal of Don Bosco College, Panaji – Goa and Shri Varun Hegde of Soul Travelling.

The initiative reflects Goa Tourism’s growing focus on experiential, sustainable, and community-oriented tourism by encouraging participants to engage more deeply with Goa’s heritage, culture, biodiversity, and local communities.

The certification programme was conceptualised to move beyond conventional tourism training and equip participants with storytelling, interpretation, and hospitality skills that help travellers experience Goa through authentic narratives and meaningful human connections.

Over the duration of the course, participants underwent immersive training modules covering tourism fundamentals, experiential tourism, Goan history and culture, communication skills, hospitality, guest engagement, trail design, nature interpretation, and storytelling techniques. The programme also included practical field immersions across iconic heritage and ecological destinations including Old Goa, the Latin Quarters of Panaji, and Chorao Island.

Speaking on the initiative, Shri Kedar J. Naik, Chairman, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), said “Goa is much more than a tourist destination; it is a living cultural experience. Through initiatives like the Certified Storytelling Course, we aim to encourage responsible tourism while empowering individuals to showcase Goa’s heritage, traditions, and communities in an authentic and meaningful manner.”

Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), highlighted the growing importance of experiential tourism in the evolving travel landscape, “Today’s travellers seek experiences that are immersive, personal, and rooted in local culture. This initiative is an important step towards building tourism ambassadors who can represent Goa responsibly while promoting sustainable and experience-driven tourism practices.”

The initiative also reflects Goa Tourism’s continued efforts to create opportunities for local youth, aspiring tourism professionals, and storytellers to actively contribute towards the growth of the tourism sector.

Gavin Dias, General Manager – Marketing, Hotels, Transport (GTDC), highlighted the role of storytelling in transforming tourism experiences, “Storytelling has the power to create emotional connections between travellers and destinations. When visitors understand the stories, traditions, and communities behind a place, tourism becomes more enriching, respectful, and memorable.” Goa Tourism initiative of sustainable Tourism and best practises.

Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager – Marketing, Hotels, PR (GTDC), emphasised the importance of developing tourism experiences rooted in authenticity and sustainability, he further said, “Goa Tourism is continuously working towards promoting tourism experiences that are meaningful, immersive, and sustainable. Initiatives like the Certified Storytelling Course help create responsible tourism ambassadors who can present Goa’s heritage and culture in a more engaging and authentic way.” To promote hidden places, festivals. Bring out positive image of Goa.

As an experiential travel company empanelled with Goa Tourism, Soul Travelling has consistently focused on showcasing Goa through local stories, community interactions, heritage experiences, and cultural immersion.

Commenting on the initiative, Varun Hegde, Founder, Soul Travelling, said, “The best travel experiences are remembered not just for the places people visit, but for the stories they hear and the people they connect with. Through this course, we wanted to create storytellers who can help visitors understand and experience Goa beyond its conventional image.” Received support of GTDC and Don Bosco, College for the course.

Prof. Teotone Vaz, Principal, Don Bosco College Panaji,< expressed appreciation for the collaborative initiative, “As an educational institution, we believe experiential learning plays a vital role in shaping future professionals. This collaboration provided participants with practical exposure and valuable insights into Goa’s tourism ecosystem, heritage, and culture.”

Such initiatives are essential in empowering people working within the tourism ecosystem. Participants who completed the course appreciated its blend of classroom learning and practical exposure.

Another participant, Mr. Jude Fernandes, described the programme as “a perfect blend of theoretical and practical insights,” while Ms. Nataliia Poliakova appreciated the immersive nature of the sessions and encouraged others to experience the course.

Nivil De Souza also shared his views to the participants and given tips for them to be the best ambassadors of Goa. The Certified Storytelling Course represents a growing shift within Goa’s tourism ecosystem towards tourism that is immersive, culturally sensitive, community-oriented, and rooted in authentic storytelling.

With initiatives such as these, Goa Tourism continues to reaffirm its commitment towards building a tourism industry that not only attracts visitors but also fosters meaningful cultural exchange, local empowerment, and long-term sustainability.