Goa Tourism conferred ‘Best MICE Destination’ at Great Indian Travel Bazaar Awards (GITB) 2026

Goa Khabar: Goa Tourism has been conferred with the ‘Best MICE Destination’ award at the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) Awards 2026, recognising the state’s growing prominence as a leading hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) in India.

The recognition comes at a time when Goa is actively positioning itself from a predominantly leisure-driven destination to a more diversified, high-value tourism ecosystem, with MICE playing a central role in driving this transition. By attracting global delegates, industry leaders and decision-makers, the segment is contributing to higher-value tourism, addressing seasonality, and creating wider economic impact across hospitality and allied sectors.

Goa’s MICE ecosystem is defined by its ability to seamlessly integrate business with experience. With a strong base of premium hotels equipped with convention facilities, the state offers a range of formats for both large-scale and bespoke events. This is further strengthened by robust connectivity, with two operational airports and expanding domestic and international access.

The state’s efforts are also aligned with India’s broader push to strengthen its global MICE positioning through initiatives such as Meet in India, with Goa emerging as a key contributor to this vision. Having successfully hosted high-profile global events including G20 Tourism Working Group meetings and India Energy Week, Goa has demonstrated its capability to manage complex, large-format international engagements.

Speaking on the recognition, Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Goa, said, “This recognition reinforces Goa’s growing role in India’s MICE landscape. MICE is central to our vision of building a more resilient and high-value tourism ecosystem, as it brings in a segment of travellers who engage more deeply with the destination and create meaningful economic impact. With our unique ability to offer business alongside immersive experiences, strong infrastructure, and seamless connectivity, Goa is well-positioned to contribute significantly to India’s global MICE ambitions.”

Echoing this, Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, added,

“Goa’s strength lies in the way its MICE ecosystem is built, where infrastructure, accessibility and experience come together seamlessly. This recognition further validates our continued efforts to strengthen Goa’s positioning as a preferred MICE destination, both domestically and globally.”

Going forward, Goa continues to strengthen its MICE offering through focused policy support, improved ease of doing business, and enhanced connectivity, including charter incentives for international markets.