Latest news with #RohanKhaunte
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Farmagudi Shivaji Museum to open by April '26: Khaunte
Panaji: The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum at Farmagudi, Ponda, costing Rs 125.6 crore, will open to the public by April 2026, said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte. The museum is being developed under the Centre's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project received Rs 97.4 crore from the Centre and Rs 28 crore from the state. The museum is envisioned as a catalyst for local economic activity by supporting tourism services, generating employment for Goans, and providing a platform for local artisans and artists to showcase their work. It will host year-round public programmes, exhibitions, and cultural gatherings, drawing both residents and tourists, said the tourism department in a statement. Khaunte said that the project will boost hinterland tourism. The museum, covering 29,212sqm including the existing fort area, will be completed by March–April 2026.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Porvorim town square, creek circuit works to be ready by Mar '26: Khaunte
Panaji: With the cabinet approving the Porvorim town square and the development of a creek circuit, the tourism department hopes to issue the work order to Bagkiya Constructions Pvt Ltd by next week, said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte. The minister said both projects will be completed by March 2026. Khaunte said Porvorim town square is inspired by New York's Times Square, San Francisco's Union Square, and London's Piccadilly Circus. 'When we travel around the world, we realise that open spaces are developed, where people come together and where activities are held,' said Khaunte. 'The Porvorim square will have a performance theatre, market area, musical fountains, movie court, heritage area, the Ashoka Stambh, and basement parking. ' The Porvorim town square is being built on three plots repossessed by govt from private developers after a legal battle and handed it to the tourism department. 'Work will start soon and should be completed by March 2026. The work order is to be issued next week. At the same time, work on the Porvorim creek will also start,' said Khaunte. Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, a rural circuit from Porvorim to Harvalem will be created, enhancing the Porvorim creek experience by encompassing Torda Creek, Malim Jetty, Virlosa, and Pomburpa Spring, and extending up to Harvalem, Khaunte said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Zumbido e perda de audição? Médico revela técnica caseira de 1 real para aliviar! Zumbido no ouvido Undo The minister said the proposal to revamp Colva under Swadesh Darshan is being finalised and will likely be placed before the cabinet next month. Also announced were the beautification of Porvorim creek and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi to boost cultural tourism. The press conference was attended by Shri Kedar Naik, director of tourism, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, MD GTDC, and Shri Gavin Dias, General Manager GTDC. The Porvorim town square, spread over 11,000sqm, is a first-of-its-kind heritage-linked public space aimed at promoting economic growth and year-round public programmes. Khaunte said nearly Rs 400 crore is being spent to revitalise Goa's tourist spaces with Central support under the scheme for special assistance to states for capital investment (SASCI) scheme.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
Minister: Goa's tourism model needs relook
Panaji: Amid growing complaints about an oversupply of rooms and increasing competition from other international destinations, tourism minister Rohan Khaunte has called for a comprehensive correction in the state's tourism model. He warned that high hotel tariffs and soaring airfares made Goa an expensive destination, prompting Indian travellers to opt for cheaper international alternatives like Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Khaunte told reporters that A and B category hotels were asked to rework their pricing and marketing strategies, with a focus on encouraging monsoon tourism , MICE, and group packages. Highlighting concerns from smaller hoteliers, Khaunte said that C and D category hotels were struggling to survive amid growing competition from unregulated villas, apartments, and gated complexes. 'We will meet with online travel aggregators like Airbnb to examine the inventory of such accommodations. If required, we will review and withdraw permissions for some time to ensure hotels get sufficient business,' he said. The minister also flagged stray dogs, cattle, and errant taxis as chronic issues hurting the tourist experience. 'Sterilisation is not the solution to the dog menace. They need to be removed from the beaches. We will meet with the CM and the animal husbandry department to finalise a plan,' he said. Despite current challenges, Khaunte expressed optimism about the upcoming monsoon season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses In Phuoc Thanh Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo He said Goa was expecting a surge in visitors from the Middle East and projected that Russian tourist numbers would double in the coming season. ___________________ Cops intensify patrolling along North Goa coast Calangute: The tourist police unit (TPU) has intensified patrolling along the coast from Baga to Sinquerim after a six-year-old drowned at Baga. The TPU had begun regularly patrolling beaches after violent incidents involving tourists in shacks last Dec. 'A large number of tourists visiting Baga and Calangute continue to enjoy themselves on the beach after sundown (when the lifeguards go off duty). At times, due to the negligence of the parents, the children go into the water to bathe and play, putting their lives at risk,' a TPU staffer said. According to a lifeguard, a major issue arises during peak times as tourists refuse to heed warnings against swimming in 'no-swim zones'. It is dangerous to swim after consuming alcohol, but many tourists go to the sea drunk and endanger, themselves,' said a lifeguard. TNN
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Goa Sees 10.5% Increase in Tourist Arrivals in Q1 Amid Growing International Connectivity
Panaji: Jan to March saw a robust 10.5% year-on-year growth in tourist arrivals, with 28.5 lakh domestic and international tourists visiting the state, up from 25.8 lakh visitors in the first quarter of 2024, said the tourism department on Monday. The tourism department attributed the sustained momentum to stronger international air connectivity and new tourism attractions in the state. At the same time, the department acknowledged that the April to June period is likely to see a slowdown in bookings. While April generally sees a dip post-Easter, May traditionally performs strongly due to school holidays and domestic leisure travel. However, current regional uncertainties have cast some unpredictability over forward demand, said department officials. 'The department has convened meetings with representatives from hospitality, transport, travel services, and alternate accommodations to review May to July booking patterns and collaboratively identify steps to mitigate any potential slowdown,' said tourism director Kedar Naik. The department said that during the Oct-Dec quarter, Goa saw a growth of 38% in domestic and international arrivals. For the entire 2024, domestic tourists increased by 22%, while foreigners increased by 3%. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo Goa received 9.9 million domestic tourists and 460,000 foreign tourists in 2024, as against 8.2 million domestic tourists and 450,000 foreign tourists in 2023. "Our Q1 success is not accidental — it is a result of deep partnerships, strategic planning, and consistent market outreach," said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte. He said that the department is working to integrate alternate accommodations into the formal ecosystem to get a clearer picture of tourist footfalls. The steady tourism numbers will provide some comfort for the state as the sector contributes 16.4% to the state's economy. To arrive at the tourism statistics, the tourism department claims it spoke to online travel aggregators, airlines, airports, hotels, shack operators, taxi operators, and international charter operators. To ensure that the state remains a year-round destination, the department is trying to appeal to conscious travellers, digital nomads, and off-season domestic tourists — with monsoon travel packages gaining traction in Middle-Eastern markets.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Goa Innovation Challenge '25 deadline extended
Panaji: The department of information technology, electronics and communications has extended the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 registration deadline to May 16. As of Wednesday, 510 applications had been received. Startups can sign up to solve bureaucratic challenges in the event. Applicants include Kerala-based Genrobotic Innovations Pvt Ltd and Bengaluru-based Farmonaut Technologies Pvt Ltd. 'We are looking for solutions that make a real difference. Whether it is smarter ways to manage crowds, track waste, support farmers, or improve citizen services — we need innovative and ready-to-deploy solutions,' said minister Rohan Khaunte. Operation Sindoor IC-814 hijacking mastermind Abdul Rauf Azhar killed in Op Sindoor Pahalgam attack: India flays Pak for opposing TRF mention in UN statement Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said Govt is interested in a biometric verification system for the Goa public service commission to prevent impersonation and streamline candidate authentication during recruitment. The agriculture department aims to introduce a data-driven advisory platform that delivers real-time crop guidance using insights from ICAR and seasonal crop data to improve rice productivity. 'Startups will get a rare opportunity to work hand-in-hand with govt departments, pilot their solutions on-ground, and create real impact. Success here can help them scale nationally, build credibility, and attract investors looking for purposeful innovations,' said Khaunte. .
