Goa is set to host 15 of the world's best travel bloggers between November 12-22 to showcase its rich cultural diversity, history, food, adventure and luxury experience.
"The event being billed as 'Escape2Goa' partners with social enterprise, Leave UR Mark, and is expected to reach 4.5 million people across 30 countries digitally, 5 languages and 8 different social-media platforms," State Tourism department has said in a press note released here.
Goa is a 365-day holiday destination with a lot of unique experiences and fun and so Goa was an "obvious choice" to host the digital media travel event, it said.
"The bloggers will get to experience the best of Goa and all its facets. Be it the state's heritage, hinterlands, culture and cuisine."
"The bloggers willget insights into Goa's rich historical past by a tour to the forts of Tiracol, Reis Magos, Cabo de Rama, insights into Goa's heritage sites at Old Goa, Heritage walk at Fontainhas, old Goan houses,folk dances, Goan music, handicrafts and rock carvings, authentic Goa cuisine, churches and temples, adventure tourism and Goa Tourism's new initiatives, spiceplantations, wellness and spas and last but not the least an experience of the sandy shores and those which are acclaimed as the best in the World, Asia and India," it said.
"Some other highlights of the trip will be cooking classes from Goa's top chefs, sunrise yoga on the beach, trekking through sanctuaries, cycling through villages, staying at a heritage home stay and volunteering with children to empower them through art. Sometimes fast and sometimes slow, bloggers will experience the pace of life and travel that is unique to the state," the department release said.
The top 15 selected bloggers consists of adventure, food and luxury bloggers. They are: Brian Baldrati from Brazil, Nicola Easterby from Australia, Brendan Van Son and Scott Rankin from Canada, Claudia Ayuso, Maria Cadepe and Melo from Spain, Kirsten Alana and Erin Marie from United States, Sofiya Benzakour from Morocco, Bouchra Benhalima from Dubai, Nienke from Netherlands, Emilie Franzo and Megane from France and Alex Tienda from Mexico.
"We are excited to have our bloggers experience Goa's
rich cultural heritage which travelers would find to be a cove of hidden treasures. Through food, nature and decadence our bloggers will share authentic first hand travel tips and showcase Goa in totally unique ways," said Nikhil Desai, Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corp.
"I love to explore new destinations all over the world in search for authentic, meaningful experiences. I can't wait to discover Goa and learn about its history, culture, food and the local people and share my best tips with you," said Nienke Krook, a Dutch Pinterest blogger with over half a million followers.
