MAPUSA
The State government’s first app-based taxi service – Goa Miles – bagged the National Tourism Award 2022 besides sweeping three more awards in other categories which were announced in New Delhi on the occasion of World Tourism Day on Tuesday.
The awards were presented by Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankar and were received by Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte along with Director of Tourism Nikil Desai (IAS).
The coastal village of Calangute bagged the award (category C) in the best civic management of a tourist destination in India while the State also received an award for National Tourism Hall of fame. (Category Union Territory: Comprehensive Development of Tourism).
The national tourism award in the category of ‘devotion to duty’ was awarded to four lifeguards – Shashikant Jadhav, M Gulablal, Ramesh Gaonkar and Nitesh Chendekar – belonging to the Drishti Lifesaving agency which provides professional lifeguard services on behalf of Department of Tourism.
The State’s innovative app-based taxi service – Goa Miles – bagged the national tourism award for most innovative use of information technology-social media/mobile app website for developing and successfully operating the fully indigenous mobile taxi app hailing system in Goa.
The award for GoaMiles will come as icing on the cake for the government as GoaMiles faced stiff opposition from local tourist taxi operators in the State. The taxi operators also opposed digital meters as mandated by the High Court.
While receiving the award, Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte said Goa Tourism has embarked on a remarkable journey to position Goa as the premiere tourism destination in India and of the world.
“Such prestigious awards recognise the hard work, dedication and efforts of the entire team from Goa Tourism and these recognitions shall continue to inspire us to excel in this sector,” Khaunte said.
He said the government will ensure comprehensive development of basic facilities and upgrade the tourism infrastructure while making efforts to develop responsible and sustainable tourism in the State.
He also complimented the tourism stakeholders in the State for extending support to Goa Tourism.
