Panaji (Goa): Goa’s popularity in the tourism sector continues to grow with yet another feather added to its cap. One of the most preferred travel portal Trip Advisor has rated Goa as the top ‘Summer Vacation Value.’
According to the report, Goa has topped the list of top 10 holiday destinations preferred by Indians this summer followed by Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, Mussoorie in Uttarakhand and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. Munnar in Kerala stood seventh in the list while Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir secured number eighth position followed by Nainital in Himachal Pradesh and Lonavala in Maharashtra.
The report was compiled based on tge booking interest data for Indian travellers during the summer travel period May 1–July 31, 2017.
During the last three years, Goa has also added on activities to beat the heat lukr treks into the hinterlands, hot air balloon rides, Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) double -decker luxury sightseeing tours, kayaking and water sports activities, backwater cruises, scuba diving, angling, cooling cuisines, cultural extravaganzas, musical events etc.
“Every summer Goa is bursting at the seams with tourists and activities galore. Seeing the enthusiasm and love that Indian tourists have for Goa and the desire to be in Goa during the summer vacations is motivating enough for Goa Tourism and Goa Tourism Development Corporation to work on creating new and innovative activities and products to make Goa the most sought summer holiday destination. We have achieved milestone in this direction and Trip Advisor’s Summer Vacation Value Report has rightly positioned Goa as the top summer vacation destination for Indian tourists,” Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said.
Ami Bhat, an avid traveler and travel writer said the report is not surprising. “The increasing number of queries on my Goa posts and the sharing of information from my website on the various destinations within Goa are clear indicators of how people are enticed by the place. Goa as a destination appeals to not just beach lovers, but also, heritage buffs, adventure addicts and nature lovers. There is enough to do as an individual as well as a family. With the summer vacations on, naturally it becomes the best choice for a holiday,” he said while another renowned blogger Faizan Patel recalled his student life when Goa always pulled him every other month.
