PANJIM: The famous Carnival of Goa, Sunburn Festival, Shigmotsav, International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and an International Purple Festival for the persons with Disability (Divyangs) are just a few examples of happenings that have put Goa on the global cultural map. These events not only attract tourists but also provide a platform for local artistes and entrepreneurs, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in his address to the 9th governing council meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Saturday.
Sawant said, the State witnessed footfall of 88.46 lakh tourists during the year 2023-24 of which 4.14 lakh were international tourists.
In addition to above, Goa recently implemented a Tourism Master Plan and policy that aims to transform Goa into a sustainable year-round tourism destination and introduced ‘Caravan Tourism Policy’ to boost the State as a tourism hotspot, he said.
The pharmaceutical Industry accounts for 50 per cent of Goa’s exports buoyed by the fact that Goa has good rail, road, air and sea water connectivity. The State would become an export hub for pharmaceutical industry as well as a logistic hub in a near future. The State government is working on mission mode to attain 100 per cent literacy by December 19, 2024, he informed.
Sawant posted on his ‘X’ handle, “Presented an overview of Goa’s significant achievements expanding the horizons of economic opportunities, social welfare and governance model with implementation of schemes to saturation levels. Shared our vision and mission for the all-round development of the State and its contribution to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and sought the necessary assistance from the Union government towards a Viksit Goa.