MAPUSA
After the government launched a “Beach Vigil App” and declared plans to come up with a mobile app for taxi operators, on Wednesday, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced to launch yet another mobile application exclusively for tourists which will redress their grievances and offer several tourism-related facilities in the State.
Khaunte also said that the State government was seriously looking to tap new markets instead of depending only on tourists from the United Kingdom and Russia.
“We are soon launching a mobile application which will address all grievances and also issues of the tourists. It will also offer several services which the tourist will be able to access. It will also have a list of all excursions, hotels, home stays, etc offered in the State,” Khaunte said.
He said the mobile app is expected to be launched in December.
Four months ago the State government had launched the “Beach Vigil App” ostensibly bringing all tourism stakeholders on one platform in order to safeguard the interests of tourists. The app was expected to cover everything from reporting illegal hawkers and illegal massage services to beach cleanliness.
Last month, the government said it had plans to come up with a mobile application for taxi operators which will provide a common platform for the entire taxi industry in the State.
Referring to the Tourism Director’s recent order to act tough against illegal activities, the Tourism Minister said the government was firm to streamline all tourism-related activities and sought cooperation from all stakeholders to bring the change.
He said from this month action will be taken against all hotels which have not registered with the department. Similarly, those who are in online businesses like the Airbnb, OYO or MakeMyTrip have also been asked to register.
“While some have registered, some are yet to do so. We have given them time. If they don’t we will be forced to act,” he warned and added, ‘We appeal to all stakeholders of tourism to stop supporting or promoting illegalities’.
Khaunte said competition from neighbouring States has forced the government to think differently as tourists were also looking for alternatives.
He said the government was also planning to tap new markets globally.
“We are seriously thinking of opening up to new markets instead of depending only on the UK and Russia. This time we did not go to the London and Paris World Travel Mart (WTM) but went to Singapore because we wanted to explore that market,” he said.
He informed that the Tourism Act which encompasses all tourism-related activities will be brought in the next assembly session.
