The Goa government has proposed working with Gujarat to expand cultural and spiritual tourism exchanges between the two states, with the possibility of formalising the cooperation through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). 
The proposal was discussed during interactions between Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Goa Pavilion at the Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) Ahmedabad 2026. The three-day travel trade event provided Goa with a platform to present its tourism products to travel industry stakeholders from Gujarat and other markets. 
According to the Goa tourism department, the two states explored an MoU that could support cultural and spiritual tourism exchanges, strengthen cooperation in the sector and encourage greater movement of visitors between Goa and Gujarat. 
The Goa Pavilion was inaugurated by Patel in the presence of Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, Khaunte and senior officials. 
The pavilion attracted interest from tour operators, destination wedding planners, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) organisers and other travel industry stakeholders on the opening day of the fair. Goa used the platform to showcase a broader tourism portfolio covering destination weddings, MICE, spiritual tourism, wellness, culinary experiences, adventure tourism, hinterland circuits and regenerative tourism. 
Gujarat has remained an important domestic source market for Goa, according to the state tourism department. The proposed cooperation is therefore also aimed at strengthening an existing visitor flow between the two states while creating opportunities around newer tourism categories. 
Khaunte said Goa had received continued interest from visitors in Gujarat and that the state remained an important source market. He indicated that TTF Ahmedabad could help strengthen relationships with travel trade partners and open opportunities for cooperation in areas such as cultural and spiritual tourism. 
The minister also pointed to Goa's efforts to develop tourism experiences beyond its beaches. These include destination weddings, hinterland tourism, community-led tourism initiatives and the recently launched Ekadasha Teertha Yatra spiritual circuit. 
The Goa government's focus on spiritual tourism has expanded in recent months. A response submitted by the Tourism Department in the Goa Legislative Assembly said the Ekadasha Teertha Yatra covers 11 temples across the state as part of its spiritual tourism roadmap. 
Goa has also been working to promote more immersive and community-linked experiences. Its #LiveTheFeeling campaign, launched earlier in 2026, encouraged visitors to explore local traditions, village trails, festivals and community-led activities while supporting responsible and regenerative tourism. 
The state has also continued to highlight its religious and cultural heritage as part of its tourism offering. Goa Tourism's recent initiatives have included greater attention to spiritual and faith-based tourism, alongside its established coastal tourism products. 
Improved air connectivity between Gujarat and Goa was another issue raised by Khaunte during the discussions. He said better connectivity could help increase visitor movement between the two states and create wider economic opportunities linked to tourism. 
The focus on connectivity is relevant to the proposed cooperation because increased movement between the two markets would support not only leisure travel but also business events, destination weddings, wellness travel and pilgrimage-related tourism. 
The Goa tourism department said its participation at TTF Ahmedabad forms part of its broader strategy to diversify the state's tourism offerings, encourage longer visitor stays, strengthen interstate partnerships and promote sustainable tourism. 
For Goa, the proposed Gujarat partnership also provides an opportunity to connect its newer hinterland and spiritual tourism circuits with an established domestic source market. For Gujarat, greater cooperation could create additional travel options for visitors while building links around cultural and faith-based experiences. 
Source PTI