PANAJI
The Goa Forward Party on Wednesday slammed the new Goa Tourism Policy notified recently by the State government and demanded that it be withdrawn.
GFP vice-president Dilip Prabhudesai said the policy formulated by KMG as a consultant has cost the exchequer hugely and entirely ignores ground realities.
“The intent, content and timing of the policy are bad. There is nothing new in it and it is expensive,” Prabhudesai told a press conference on Wednesday.
The policy has also been criticised by three industry bodies including Tourism and Travel Association of Goa who have asked that its implementation be delayed till specific ground feedback is received and the policy adequately modified.
Prabhudesai said the policy ignores crucial tourism verticals like the casino industry, coal import and its repercussions on the industry.
Besides TTAG, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Goa chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry, have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the policy.
The heads of the three industry associations had made a joint representation to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in which they had urged him not to implement it till inputs from them are submitted.
They also demanded that the fulcrum of the policy -- setting up of the Goa Tourism Board -- is also delayed.
