Goa looks at Portugal to widen appeal in Europe

Panaji: Goa and Portugal will explore the best practices and innovative technologies to bring improved tourism experiences to the state, said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte after his recent visit to the country.
Khaunte attended Bolsa de tourismo de Lisboa, a tourism fair in Lisbon and had a series of meetings with stakeholders to promote Goa tourism.
Khaunte also met Antonio Costa Silva, minister of economy and maritime affairs of Portugal, to discuss possible future collaborations in the tourism sector.
The discussions between the two ministers focused on promoting quality tourism between Goa and Portugal and help the former widen its scope in the European segment.
The two discussed different possibilities with regards to development in tourism. Goa and Portugal will collaborate and share their ideas, knowledge, and sign an MOU in tourism and IT soon, a tourism official said. Issues pertaining to building demand for Goa from Portugal, alternative fuels, startup ecosystem were also discussed.
Khaunte also met MasterCard’s vice president Quim Martínez Bosch and explored the possibilities of sharing technologies in the tourism sector. Goa was identified for inclusion in the Global Tourism Innovation Hub Programme and MasterCard’s Priceless Experiences Programmes.
The tourism minister said different aspects of innovative practices in travel technology and connecting to future targeted high yield buyers were discussed in a meeting with Ramon Sanchez Alvarez, head of strategic projects at Amadeus IT Group.There was a discussion on ways to increase air connectivity between Portugal and Goa with Manohar International airport having become operational in January.
“The possibility of a new route was discussed in one of the meetings,” the official said.
Khaunte said his visit to Portugal was fruitful and various possibilities were discussed with industry experts, and the inputs should help Goa tourism.
Manish Chauhan, Indian ambassador to Portugal in the meeting with Khaunte, shared insights regarding the business and investment possibilities between India and Portugal in the field of tourism and IT.