While going through the Draft Tourism Policy, I got the feeling that the policy was so general and all-encompassing in nature that it could be adopted as the policy for the whole country or any state of India. It failed to consider the small size of the state, its unique culture and totally ignored the needs of the general public.
This policy lays down a long term vision for Goa’s Tourism Industry but has only considered the views and aspirations of the tourism stakeholders.
It is equally necessary to consider the views and aspirations of 60% of the general population having no direct links to tourism industry and therefore, the policy should have been placed in the public domain for at least six months.
Copies of this policy should have also been widely distributed to each and every panchayat of Goa so that the common man is made aware of this policy and can then make an informed decision and comment accordingly.
It is also necessary that a Konkani version be made available as Konkani is the official language of Goa.
On Tourism Board
The Goa Tourism Board is the highest policy making body with tremendous powers. It is therefore imperative that it should also include person(s) of standing from general public with no links to the industry.
Historically, it has been seen that many of the tourism projects such as 5 star hotels, marinas, casinos etc. have drawn the ire of the people and have been scrapped because of their location in eco-sensitive areas, undue pressure on scarce shared common resources, etc.
In order to ensure that protection of the environment is given due consideration, an eminent environmentalist of the state should also be a member of the Board.
In formulating this Policy, it appears that the size of the state of Goa which is equivalent to half a district of the neighbouring states, the high density of population per square km, and most importantly, the carrying capacity of the state has been totally ignored.
On coastal tourism
With a view to attract high spending tourists, the Coastal Tourism Policy is promoting Blue Flag Certification for beaches.
Experience at Velsao and Palolem has shown that this scheme was opposed by the traditional fishermen as they would be displaced and deprived of their land based facilities and would not be able to conduct their fishing activities.
While there is much emphasis on quality labeling for accreditation with international standards, there is not enough emphasis on the ways and means to enable the existing small tourist entities such as shacks, restaurants, homestays, small hotels, etc run by locals.
On nature-based tourism
As stated in the Tourism Policy 2018, “Essential tourism infrastructure identified by GTB to be facilitated by attracting acclaimed natural and international brands at locations identified by the GTB”.
Does this imply that land would be acquired by the Government and then given to private entities for development? This is a model totally unacceptable to the people of Goa and has to be dropped.
First and foremost the protected areas are not specified.
If the protected areas include the wildlife sanctuaries, then the following has to be noted:
Protected areas are specifically referred in chapter IV of The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and hence have legal protection. It is not possible to interfere in such areas. Hence needs to be excluded.
2. Other legal tools provisioned are the Forest Conservation Act 1980/rules 2003, Environmental Protection Act 1986 and other subsequent provisions in legal framework are in place.
Not enough emphasis on measures to rectify the shortcomings in the present/existing tourism industry which impacts the local youth and local tourism entrepreneurs negatively is seen in the policy.
1. Lack of employment facilities in the industry for the local youth due to the,
i. Low wages presently offered by the Industry.
ii. Only seasonal employment opportunities provided.
iii. Lack of essential skills development by Government/private institutes.
2. Finance not provided at subsidized rates to the local entrepreneurs inorder to upgrade the existing small tourist enterprises or set up new ventures.
3. Huge employment of non-state youth in the hotel/shacks/casinos and remedial measures required to be taken to empower employment of local youth has not been considered at all in this Policy.
4. The Policy and Master Plan for GTDC has the sole cum at totally privatizing the existing GTDC facilities so as to convert them into 5 star premises.
But is it not the role of the government to provide decent facilities at reasonable rates to the middle class tourists due to which these facilities were originally set up. There is no mention whatsoever of this concept.
On local infrastructure
Steps/measures to control perennial problems like water shortage, narrow roads, non clearance of garbage, overflowing septic tanks, huge traffic jam in the peak season, the menace of drugs and prostitution in the tourist belt, the public disturbance caused by unruly tourists, the inadequate policing, huge cost of living etc. have no mentioned in this Tourism Policy 2018.
The Policy thus needs to be completely reworked in the interest of the people of Goa.
Also, it is extremely essential that the villagers be involved while evolving the criteria for this selection, for unless the villagers agree, the entire exercise will be futile.
