At the State Tourism Ministers’ meet held in Rajasthan this week, Goa showcased two flagship projects – a state-of-the-art 20,000 seat arena to host international concerts and events and a Lord Parshuram statue and museum – envisaged as “transformative tourism hubs” to enhance visitor experience, create employment and strengthen Goa’s positioning as a global tourism destination.
The meet was held Tuesday and Wednesday and brought together tourism ministers’ and senior officials from all States and Union Territories.
Goa Tourism Department officials said a mega performance arena at Mandrem, with 20,000-seat facility, will be designed as a multi-use venue to host large-scale international concerts, conventions, cultural shows and entertainment events. A statue of Lord Parshuram and museum, alongside the lifescape project (Canacona), will be developed as a cultural and spiritual landmark, “celebrating Goa’s mythological heritage” and creating an immersive visitor experience with storytelling zones, scenic viewpoints, and curated exhibits. Officials said the initiative will serve as an anchor project for hinterland tourism development in South Goa, aligning with the state’s vision of regenerative tourism and ‘Goa Beyond Beaches.’
For the past few years, the state has been working on plans to promote the coastal state as a premier “spiritual destination” and to change the perception that Goa is limited to a “Sun, Sand, Sea” destination and encouraging tourists to explore Goa “beyond the beaches”. The government had earlier announced a plan to build an iconic structure of a ‘Bow and Arrow’ in North Goa’s Mandrem, to commemorate the legacy of Lord Parshuram and capitalise on the mythology around the state’s origins. As per mythology, Lord Parshuram shot an arrow into the Arabian Sea and parted the seas, which created the state of Goa.
During the two-day conference, Goa showcased its long-term vision for tourism growth, built around sustainable and community-led development. It outlined a strategy anchored in enhancing infrastructure, connectivity, cultural preservation, technology integration and visitor experience. Officials said the state’s presentation at the conference also aligned with its larger vision to diversify the tourism portfolio by focusing on seven pillars – eco and nature-based tourism, Goan backwaters, heritage and culture, MICE tourism, adventure Tourism, Leisure and Entertainment and Spiritual, Wellness and Medical Tourism.
Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said” “Goa’s tourism vision is rooted in regenerative practices that balance economic growth with environmental preservation and community well-being. Our new destination development projects in Pernem and Canacona will redefine Goa’s tourism landscape, supporting both community and economic growth while staying true to our commitment to sustainability. Through technology-enabled tourist safety and a visitor-first approach, we aim to deliver truly transformative experiences rooted in our philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’”.
Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, government of Goa said, “Our focus is on strengthening the state’s position as a year-round experiential tourism destination by integrating infrastructure enhancement, heritage conservation and cutting-edge digital solutions for improved visitor engagement and safety. The mega performance arena and Lord Parshuram statue and museum are game-changing projects that will bring economic opportunities to local communities and elevate Goa’s position on the world tourism map.”
