As a part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, and the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), a field trip was organised for the students of AIIA, accompanied by Gavin Dias, General Manager, GTDC, Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager Marketing/Hotels, GTDC, Chitra Vengurlekar, Assistant Tourist Officer, and Prasad Kavlekar, Manager Marketing, GTDC. Faculty Professor Dr. Yogesh Shinde and other faculty members and government officials. The trip served as an immersive experience of Goa’s rich cultural and wellness tourism landscape and reminder of Goa’s true essence.
The students commenced their tour with a visit to the historic Aguada Jail Museum. This iconic site provided the students with a deep dive into Goa’s storied past, showcasing the state’s significant role in India’s freedom struggle while also illustrating its evolution as a premier destination under the “Goa Beyond Beaches” initiative.
Continuing their exploration, the AIIA students were traditionally welcomed with the shower of flower petals and kokum juice at the Nandanvan Spice Plantation and were also treated to authentic goan food. The students were guided by Faculty Professor Dr. Yogesh Shinde through the diverse range of spices cultivated in Goa. The visit offered valuable insights into the medicinal properties of these spices and their integral role in Ayurvedic practices, further enriching the students’ understanding of Goa’s unique offerings beyond its famed beaches.
Gavin Dias, remarked, “This initiative aligns with our vision of showcasing Goa as a holistic destination, along with its diverse wellness tourism. The visit by AIIA students reinforces Goa’s potential as a hub for Ayurvedic and wellness tourism, which is an essential aspect of our ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ campaign of the Department of Tourism.”
Following the plantation tour, the group visited the Mangueshi Temple, a prominent spiritual site in Goa. The students explored one of the temples of Ekadasha Teertha and delved into the essence of spiritual tourism, further broadening their understanding of Goa’s diverse tourism offerings.
Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager Marketing/Hotels, GTDC, stated, “We are thrilled to see young minds from AIIA engaging and exploring natural resources. Their visit highlights the growing importance of integrating wellness tourism with traditional experiences, which is at the core of our ongoing initiatives. The students got the opportunity to align with nature and explore the diverse spices of the Nandanvan Spice Plantation”
Dr. Yogesh Shinde, Faculty Professor at AIIA, expressed his appreciation for the initiative, saying, “This field trip has provided our students with critical exposure to the practical applications of Ayurvedic principles in real-world settings. The integration of traditional Ayurvedic practices with Goa’s natural resources showcases a model of wellness tourism that effectively bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary health initiatives. This experience has greatly enhanced our student’s understanding and will serve as a valuable reference for their future studies and practices. The students were highly ingrained to avail such tour and acquire knowledge of the Goa freedom struggle at the Aguada Jail museum as well as the spiritual side of goa after visiting the Mangueshi Temple.
This educational and exploratory trip served to enhance the students’ knowledge of Goa’s vast tourism potential, particularly in the realms of wellness and spiritual tourism, reaffirming Goa’s status as a destination that goes beyond its beautiful beaches.
