MAM
Agoda and Goa Tourism join forces
Mumbai: In a bid to showcase the myriad wonders of Goa to travellers worldwide, digital travel platform Agoda has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Goa Tourism. This collaboration aims to shine a spotlight on the rich tapestry of experiences that Goa has to offer, catering particularly to the preferences of travellers from Asian markets.
Under the terms of the freshly minted MoU, Agoda is poised to unveil Goa’s diverse holiday offerings and attractions to its global network of travellers. Through this partnership, Agoda commits to working closely with Goa Tourism to harness the power of digitization in enhancing travellers’ experiences while also rolling out digital promotional campaigns.
Speaking on the occasion, GTDC IAS, director of tourism & managing director Suneel Anchipaka expressed enthusiasm, “This partnership with Agoda marks a significant milestone for Goa Tourism, as it underscores our dedication to embracing digital advancements in the tourism sector. Our partnership with Agoda underscores our dedication to embracing digital advancements in the tourism sector, allowing us to showcase Goa’s beauty to a global audience and cater to the evolving preferences of modern travellers.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer at Agoda, commented, “Teaming up with Goa Tourism presents an exciting opportunity for Agoda to leverage our technological expertise and insights in promoting Goa’s unique offerings. Through strategic outreach efforts and digital enhancements, we are confident in our ability to inspire travellers to explore the enchanting allure of Goa.”
To bolster tourism in Goa, Agoda will roll out tailored landing pages and travel guides, providing travellers with comprehensive insights into the region’s hidden gems. Additionally, Agoda will harness the power of various social media platforms to position Goa as a must-visit destination, thereby attracting a greater influx of tourists. With its ever-evolving digital platform, Agoda continues to expand its global network of accommodations, flights, and activities, facilitating affordable explorations of breathtaking destinations like Goa.
Brands
Uidai partners with Google to help users locate Aadhaar centres
Verified Aadhaar centres to appear on Maps with services and access info
MUMBAI: Finding an Aadhaar centre may soon be as easy as finding your favourite café. In a move aimed at making public services more accessible, the Unique Identification Authority of India has partnered with Google to display authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps. The feature, expected to roll out in the coming months, will allow residents to locate verified centres quickly and confidently.
More than 60,000 Aadhaar centres, including state of the art Aadhaar Seva Kendras, will be mapped. When users search on Google Maps, they will be directed to authorised facilities rather than unverified listings, helping curb misinformation and confusion.
The listings will do more than drop a pin. Users will be able to see the nature of services offered at each centre, whether it is adult enrolment, child enrolment, or limited to address and mobile number updates. Details such as operating hours, parking availability and divyang friendly infrastructure will also be shown wherever applicable.
Uidai CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, said the collaboration is part of the authority’s continued effort to improve ease of living for Aadhaar holders by making authorised centres simpler and faster to navigate.
The partnership will deepen in its next phase, with Uidai using Google Business Profile to manage information and respond directly to public feedback. Looking ahead, the two organisations are also exploring the option of enabling appointment bookings through the Google Maps interface, potentially allowing residents to plan their visits with greater efficiency.
Google India country head, strategic partnerships Roli Agarwal, said integrating verified Aadhaar centres would help millions access trusted services with confidence, bringing essential government infrastructure closer to the people who need it most.
If all goes to plan, a routine Aadhaar update may soon begin not with a queue, but with a search bar.
