Eastern India Emerges as Growth Focus as Goa Tourism Promotes Leisure, MICE and Destination Weddings

Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, highlighted direct Kolkata to Goa connectivity, expanding MICE infrastructure and destination wedding opportunities during TTF Kolkata 2026, positioning West Bengal among the state’s priority tourism markets.

Goa Tourism has identified Eastern India as one of its priority growth markets, using TTF Kolkata 2026 to promote the state as a destination that extends beyond beach holidays to include business events, destination weddings and cultural experiences.
Leading the state’s delegation at Eastern India’s largest travel trade exhibition, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, encouraged travellers, businesses and the travel trade from West Bengal to consider Goa for leisure travel, meetings, conferences, incentive programmes and weddings. He noted that direct IndiGo flights connecting Kolkata and Goa in under three hours have made the destination increasingly accessible for both personal and business travel.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Goa Tourism pavilion, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte said, “Kolkata is barely a three hour, non stop flight from Goa. There is no reason West Bengal should only think of us for a beach holiday. We want couples planning a wedding, companies planning a conference and families planning a getaway to see Goa as their first choice. We have the connectivity, we have the venues and we have a state that is investing seriously in hospitality, heritage and experiences that go well beyond the coastline. My invitation to Kolkata and West Bengal today is simple. Come and see the Goa Beyond Beaches.”
The minister said the state’s tourism strategy continues to expand beyond its coastline by promoting heritage, culture, hinterland experiences, spiritual tourism and regenerative tourism alongside its established leisure offerings.

Goa Tourism also highlighted the longstanding cultural connection between Goa and West Bengal, pointing to a shared passion for football and seafood traditions that have contributed to making Goa a preferred holiday destination for travellers from the region over several decades.
The state also presented its growing capabilities as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. India Energy Week 2026, hosted in Goa, attracted more than 75,000 delegates and 700 exhibitors representing over 120 countries, reflecting the state’s ability to host large international business events. Goa also recorded 28.5 lakh visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2026, with MICE tourism and destination weddings contributing significantly to this growth.

Officials further highlighted the opportunities within India’s expanding destination wedding market, estimated at approximately ₹2.5 lakh crore and growing at nearly 35 per cent annually. Goa continues to remain one of the country’s preferred wedding destinations, with premium celebrations for 100 to 150 guests typically ranging from ₹40 lakh to more than ₹1 crore across luxury beach resorts, heritage venues and hospitality properties.
TTF Kolkata, which attracts more than 7,000 travel trade professionals and over 500 exhibitors from West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and the North Eastern region, provided Goa Tourism with an opportunity to engage directly with travel agents, tour operators, wedding planners and corporate event organisers while expanding partnerships across Eastern India.

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