Segways, Duck tours to add spice to Goa holiday

You could soon use a Segway or Duck tours around Goa in a set of unique initiatives started by the state tourism authorities.

In addition to sea-planes and hot air ballooning circuits which were launched by state tourism this year, the new Segway tours and Duck tourism in amphibious vehicles will offer new tourism avenues for visitors.

"The Segway experience will offer tourists treks on wheels in the form of guided group tours. The two hour trek on easy to manouvre Segways will cover heritage area of Fontainhas and Old Goa," a tourism department official said in a release issued here.

This was the first time in the country that Segway facilities were being offered to tourists, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar told IANS.

"We hope this will boost tourism in Goa. Such tours are unique in India and have never been extended to tourists here," Parulekar said on Tuesday.

An average Segway tour is expected to cost between Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,000 for two hours.

Parulekar also said amphibious vessels will be used to conduct heritage tours across the state's hinterland.

"The Duck tours will cover the heritage sites of hinterland along Mandovi river. A night tour is also a part of the experience," Parulekar said.

Goa one of the top beach and nightlife tourism destinations in the country attracts more than three million tourists annually, half a million of which are foreigners.