Goa has promoted itself as a Centre for wellness and yoga tourism at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) event held in Dubai to attract travelers from the Middle East during the monsoon season. Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Mr. Nikhil Desai, told that during the monsoon it is difficult to sell beaches. So they will promote Ayurveda, Yoga and wellness tourism during this season of the year. This will allow people to visit Goa with a different purpose and will thereby boost tourism influx in the state.

Tourism is generally lean in India between the months of June and September due to heavy downpour. So these months can be promoted to West Asian countries and Iranian and Jordan tourists as they look out for cooler or rainy places when their regions burn in scorching heat. This segment of the tourist population also includes expatriates. Goa has even emerged as a mid- haul destination for these category of travelers who do not mind visiting the destination as a part of their weekend trip.

Usually the peak season of Goa starts from post September. But during monsoon hotels offer exclusive monsoon packages at discounted rates which attract travelers from countries like Iran and Jordan. Desai also added that during monsoon occupancy in five star hotels is 60 percent and in other hotels it is 50 percent. He feels that promoting Ayurveda, wellness and Yoga sessions during the rainy months will keep on tourists flowing into the state at a consistent rate.