In order to boost the tourism industry in the state and increase the revenue, the Goa Tourism Department has started wooing tourists from Australia and New Zealand. Director of Goa Tourism Swapnil Naik said on his arrival from the tour of these nations.

"There has been a keen interest expressed by the travel and trade fraternity in Australia and New Zealand on adding Goa to the travel itinerary of the local traveller. This is Goa Tourism's first attempt to reach out to this distant market and we look forward to making it happen," Naik said. He added that various issues were also discussed with the travel agents in order to understand the views of the representatives of the two countries.

"One of the major concerns raised was airline connectivity to the coastal state. The state tourism is exploring the idea of initiating talks with Singapore Airlines to begin direct flights to Goa," he said adding, "Singapore is the key international transit point in Asia for the oceanic countries, especially Australia and New Zealand." During the New Zealand and Australia tours, the Tourism officials held road-shows and networking meetings with trade representatives in the two countries.

"While the bustling city of Sydney, located on the south-east coast of Australia draws few tourists to Goa, state tourism officials are keen to make a difference," a tourism department official said. The tourism contingent also made a stop-over in Auckland, New Zealand. Located on the northern island of New Zealand, Auckland is one of the largest and most populous area of the country. Auckland-based MP of Indian origin, Kanwaljit Singh extended his support to the contingent and offered his support and help to market Goa as a holiday destination in the country.

PTI