Holidaymakers could soon have a host of adventure tourism activities to choose from in Goa.
In the past, the main reason for booking flights to Goa was to enjoy a relaxed beach holiday in a location that had a unique cultural atmosphere.
However, tourism officials in the country believe that the Indian state has all the right credentials to position it at the forefront of the burgeoning adventure holiday sector.
“Adventure tourism is an emerging trend across the country. We are trying it to diversify our tourism portfolio,” tourism tourism minister Dilip Parulekar said.
It is a process that began more than five months ago when a private enterprise, which specialises in whitewater rafting, set up a new programme in a remote river system of the picturesque Western Ghats.
According to Mr Parulekar, tourism chiefs are now looking at plans to launch a spate of other adventure facilities including hot air ballooning and hang-gliding.
The Times of India states that Goa already attracts more than 26 million visitors to its coastlines every year.
Written by Nicholas Scott