Turismo de Portugal, the national tourism organization of Portugal, recently announced that it wants to develop curated tourism packages that showcase the historic link between Goa and Portugal. The announcement was made during a seminar in Panaji, Goa, which was attended by Portugal’s ambassador to India, Carlos Pereira Marques, and representatives from the travel and tourism industry of both countries.
Goa was a Portuguese colony for over 450 years, and the influence of Portuguese culture and architecture can be seen all over the state. Turismo de Portugal believes that building on this historic link can be a unique selling point for Goa as a tourist destination, and can help attract more visitors from India.
The tourism organization has already developed a few packages that highlight the Portuguese heritage of Goa. One such package is called “Reliving the Portuguese Heritage of Goa”, which includes visits to historic churches, forts, and museums that were built by the Portuguese. The package also includes culinary experiences that showcase the fusion of Portuguese and Goan cuisines.
Turismo de Portugal believes that these curated packages can help promote sustainable tourism in Goa, while also preserving the state’s cultural heritage. The organization is also planning to collaborate with local communities and stakeholders to develop the packages, and to ensure that the benefits of tourism reach all sections of society.
The seminar in Panaji also saw the launch of a new tourism campaign by Turismo de Portugal, which aims to attract more Indian visitors to Portugal. The campaign, called “#IndiaMeetsPortugal”, features Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan as its brand ambassador, and showcases the diverse experiences that Portugal has to offer, such as its historic cities, sun-kissed beaches, and vibrant culture.
The campaign includes a series of videos and social media content, which will be promoted across various platforms in India. Turismo de Portugal hopes that the campaign will help establish Portugal as a “must-visit” destination for Indian travelers.
The tourism organization has been actively promoting Portugal as a destination in India for several years now, and its efforts have paid off. According to statistics from the Portuguese National Institute of Statistics, the number of Indian visitors to Portugal has been steadily increasing over the past few years. In 2019, Portugal received over 86,000 Indian tourists, a 19% increase from the previous year.
Turismo de Portugal hopes to build on this momentum, and to establish Portugal as a preferred destination for Indian travelers. The organization believes that the historic link between Goa and Portugal can play a key role in achieving this goal, and is committed to developing sustainable tourism offerings that showcase this unique connection.