While special attention will be given to Goa's traditional tourism markets in European countries - Goa tourism also plans to focus on new markets like Japan, US, Gulf states and Southeast Asia for the next season.
Fourteen travel agents and operators from the Gulf recently visited Goa in a bid to check Goa's potential.
Nikhil Desai, tourism director, said they are hopeful of getting travelers from the Gulf states.
"Our ecotourism destinations will be the best bet as Gulf people visiting Goa will not be looking for malls to shop as the best malls are in the Gulf states," he said.
It will be easier said than done as travelers from Gulf most of the time, do not make their travel plans beforehand. "They decide to travel at the spur of the moment. Counting this factor, we have to be more organized and able to cope up," he said.
Goa tourism has not looked at the Gulf seriously for past seasons. Things are, however, likely to change next tourist season beginning mid-September as per a TOI report.
It has though remained focused on its traditional markets such as UK, Germany, France, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden etc. The tourist inflow from these countries has remained more or less static.
"We intend to give special attention to our old markets," he added. Goa tourism is also eyeing South Asia for it feels there is a potential market. About 50,000 Malaysians visit Kashmir every season so certainly, we can also offer something that will hold their attention, he pointed out.
Other markets which are also on the wish list of Goa tourism are Japan and US. About 8 lakh US tourists travel to India every year. Also the number of Japanese visiting India for leisure, is significant but very few tourists from these two countries visit Goa.
About 2,000-2,500 Japanese visit Goa while about 7,000-8,000 US tourists come to Goa during season time.
The tourism director feels that with upgradation of infrastructure facilities and with added attractions like marinas, a golf course, Goa should able to attract tourists from US and Japan.
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