Representatives of Goa Tourism from India hosted a road show in Auckland promoting the state of Goa in India as an all year round holiday destination.
Goa, the south-western state in India which is renowned for its exotic beaches and informally called as ‘the party capital of India’ gets tourists from across the globe holidaying there all year round. Goa Tourism has taken a new initiative to promote the state in New Zealand and get more Kiwis to choosing Goa as their next holiday destination in India.
The road show was held at Alexandra Park on Thursday, May 17 attended by Honorary Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Fiji, Harish Lodhia, Kiwi-Indian Black Caps cricketer Jeet Raval, Coordinator for Goan Overseas Association of New Zealand, Sushila Pinto, and International model and TV personality Colin Mathura-Jeffree.
Mr Mathura-Jeffree is currently the face of Tourism Australia "shopping & shows campaign" for New Zealand. He is also a model in the series of Tourism New Zealand commercials targeted at the United States of America.
Amongst other guests, there were leading dignitaries from the Kiwi-Indian community who also attended this special event.
Host Arvind Khutkar delivered the welcome address and emphasised on the tourism opportunities in Goa.
“The purpose of the show is to promote Goa as an all year round tourism destination, and we further look forward to an increased flow of tourists from New Zealand,” Mr Khutkar said.
Honorary Consul of India, Mr Dhillon emphasised on the ease of applying and getting a visa for the country.
“The Government of India has started the e-visa facility and made the procedures to secure visa easy for any traveller from New Zealand to India,” Mr Dhillon said.
He added that the connectivity to India has also been improved as Jet Airways and Air India besides other Airlines have opened up regular flights operating from Auckland to Goa via Delhi and Mumbai.
Coordinator of Goan Overseas Association of New Zealand, Sushila Pinto also appreciated the work of the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa and expressed her support to any such road shows that would be conducted by Goa Tourism in future.
General Manager of Goa Tourism Development Corporation Gavin Dias gave a detailed presentation on Goa Tourism giving the insights of tourism in Goa.