PANAJI
Legislators on Wednesday urged the government to henceforth rely solely for all policy matters and decision-making in matters related to the tourism sector on the Goa State Tourism Board.
Several legislators including Congress' Aleixo Sequeira, Altone D'Costa, Delilah Lobo among others also urged the Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte to ensure that professionals and individuals who have been associated with the sector for several years in Goa be inducted on the GSTB so that their vast knowledge and expertise can help in crucial decision making.
Sequeira and D'Costa said the opinion of these experts should be the final word in matters related to deciding Goa's marketing policy and taking a call as to which international tourism bourses and events the State should participate.
The lawmakers were participating in the discussion in the House on the demands for grants and the cut motions moved in relation to the demands for the tourism department.
During the discussion, legislators also focussed on specific issues in relation to tourism infrastructure existing in their own constituencies.
For instance, Mayem MLA Premendra Shet raised the issue of the dilapidated condition of the cottages at the famous Mayem lake while Daji Salkar urged the tourism minister to ensure that certain events be also held in the port town on the lines of the food and wine festival.
Kedar Naik raised the issue of logistic support for watersport operators, most of who are locals, at Nerul's Coco beach in his Saligao constituency and Aldona MLA Carlos Almeida drew attention to the urgent need for upgradation, repairs and sprucing up of the spring area at Pomburpa.
Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Venzy Viegas demanded that at least two existing springs in his Benaulim be taken up for development and linked to the 'hinterland tourism plan' by creating a nature trail and also to showcase local rural lifestyle and folklore to the tourists.
There were also suggestions made to the government to give a thought to promoting niche tourism modules such as beach weddings and also promoting cultural tourism.
Sequeira said, beach weddings were picking up in South Goa and urged Khaunte to simplify the current cumbersome procedures to get clearances and introduce a single-window system for it.
Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) MLA, Vresh Borkar called for setting up two stadium-like centres, one in each district, where local folk dances and other cultural displays besides cuisine are showcased.
"It can be an arena where tourists are charged a fee to witness Goan culture by organising ticketed shows," Borkar said.
