In a major boost to hinterland tourism in the state, Goa has witnessed over 50% rise in domestic tourists and 1,000 times increase in international tourists in the four Western Ghats bordering talukas – Sattari, Canacona, Dharbandora and Sanguem.
Government data shows that in 2021, over 65,000 domestic and over 1,300 international tourists explored Goa’s hinterland, while in 2022, over 1.1 lakh domestic and over 14,000 foreigners visited the areas
The has invited agencies to conceptualise tours and trails in Goa like nature trails, architecture tours, heritage trails, village walks, spiritual trails and bird watching trips to further boost hinterland tourism, the officer said. The government is also keen to conceptualise camping, bike tours, food and culinary tours, brewery tours and so on to bring out the unexplored tourism aspects and various points of interest in Goa. It wants to market and promote the experiential tours through various channels for popularising these tours among tourists, agents and channel partners in both domestic and international markets. Goa has over 70 big and small waterfalls.