PANAJI
THE GOAN: How would online services make life easy for tourism industry businesses?
Nilesh Shah: Online services were there earlier too, but one had to go to the departments for follow up. Today one can sit in the comfort of his home or office and apply or renew online with the proper documentation. If the process is carried on in the right spirit and kept time-bound, this concept should succeed. There is an Act in place that these applications should be processed within 30 days. If the department follows a specific timeline, it would save time and hassles for the public. If they enact the Act in all these services, then it makes sense. The government has assured that these online services will follow a time frame. This will do away with the hurdles, help in the ease of business and allow more youngsters to venture into tourism-related small businesses. More tourism players will be in the field.
TG: Will online registration help in downsizing the grey tourism economy?
NS: Absolutely. When we speak about illegal tourism activities, they are not registered under the Tourism Act. Compulsory registration will go a long way to address the umpteen challenges faced by the government in monitoring the industry. As per the rule, to carry out tourism activities, a license is required. If tourism activities are carried out illegally, there is no data available with the government neither of the activities nor the revenue generated through them. If every activity is registered, then it would help the government to earn revenue through taxes, GST etc. The tax authorities say tourism is doing very well but where does the revenue go? Tourists come in but they are not going into the bracket. Now the government has made it compulsory to register home-stays, which will give the actual picture to the government of how many players are indulged in tourism activities, what the benefits are to the government, the footfalls, and how many people are directly or indirectly getting employment and also, which market to address. Having data in hand will go a long way to addressing these issues.
TG: Rohan Khaunte has announced to stall all water sports operations amid tourism season? Do you think this is the right way to go about it?
NS: We are 20 days away, as most water sports activities close by mid-May or say May 25. So those who wish to start these activities in the next season should be able to apply for licences well in advance and smoothly. The permissions and approvals should also be smooth. There should be proper reasoning. Many are into the business for many years and nobody should suffer. There has to be proper streamlining of the activities and as per the capacity of each beach, the permissions should be given. Water sports require permission from the River Navigation Department. They are not registered under the Tourism Act. They need to be informed that the tourism department is also part of it.
Each beach has a carrying capacity. If there is proper monitoring and regulation there would be no chaos, no fights or no antisocial elements taking advantage. The traffic in the area increases and there is no department looking into this area. Looking at these issues, it could be a good step. If safety measures are taken care of, water sports can be a good source of income in tourism. Authorised sports and adventurous activities can make tourism activities sustainable and Goa in the real sense can be the tourism capital of India. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has the vision. After the closure of mining, there should be some revenue for the State as well as for the people. Tourism could be that source of income.
TG: Let’s have a look at the casino CRZ issue. What is TTAG’s take on this?
NS: These are two different issues. Not going into the aspect of whether casinos are good or bad, let us be clear on the fact that casinos bring in big revenue. They give fixed revenue of Rs 450 crore and a GST license of Rs 300 plus crore. The hotels, restaurants in and around Panaji get business. So the casinos are here to stay. Of course, there should be proper monitoring. Locals should be discouraged so that their families do not suffer. There should be a gaming commission. If all these things are in place, customer confidence can be better. The industry should sustain. They have put in a lot of money. We should not lose our focus as a family tourism destination.
The CRZ issue could be handled wisely. We have to see the examples that other countries are following as far as CRZ norms are concerned. We have to add up the system so that it is a win-win situation for all. Sometimes there are norms which are not realistic. We have to look at them from the right perspective, and not disturb our environment also. But it should be the way forward. The sustainability and illegality part of it should be taken care of, so that it can go a long way to bringing in the right module in Goa, as far as the development in and around coastal areas is concerned.
TG: Do you feel that investing unlimited funds into developing infrastructure and adding attractive features would translate into revenue from high spending tourists, or would they prove to be just white elephants?
NS: Tourists are here to spend; they want entertainment and are willing to spend provided these are offered with an added feature of safety and security. If the measures for the safety of life are well taken care of by the service providers, tourists would go and pay for it. I want to underline that instead of the government getting involved as an investor in such business activities, private stakeholders should be encouraged to start them, albeit putting safety and security measures first in place.
