SPOTLIGHT: GOA KICKS OFF NEW TOURISM SEASON WITH A HANGOVER OF THE PAST

As a new tourism season begins, stakeholders are crossing their fingers over what the next six-eight months holds for the tourism sector businesses and Goa's economy as a whole. From the State government's side, it seems like yet another tourism season without much change. Shack allotments continue to be delayed way beyond the start of the season. The upkeep in terms of cleanliness of Goa's USP by default – the beaches – continues to be unresolved with the State government pushing the buck on to local panchayats and no much headway made over the question of policing the hordes of domestic tourists who swarm the coastline on weekends and many a times violate local laws like driving on beaches, cooking and drinking in open public spaces, etc. The Goan gets down to the ground to do a reality check of Goa's tourism landscape.

Struggles in State's tourism, fewer achievements

PANAJI

Garbage menace, filthy and poorly maintained roads, lack of basic amenities at the beaches and compromising of quality over quantity tourists continue to mar Goa’s tourism industry. Despite a slew of promises made by successive governments, the dream of elevating this lucrative sector to a higher level has hitherto remained elusive.

It goes without saying that over the past decade; dependence on this industry has grown manifold to revive Goa’s economy. However, many proposed projects have come and gone with some even making a landing in Goa before ultimately being abandoned for various reasons. Other plans have simply been forgotten.

The rope-way project linking Panaji to Reis Magos, much-touted Amphibian vehicles, seaplanes and helicopter rides; golf course, anti-terrain vehicles, and convention centre are just to name a few.

But there’s also a flip side as the State to a certain extent succeeded in starting initiatives including infrastructural development to attract more travellers and investment.

Having said this, the emphasis on drawing quality tourists – a recurring theme for years – has barely seen any progress except for the fact that Goa is catching up as a wedding destination.

Amid all this, as we speak about quality and well-mannered tourists, there’s a glaring absence of strict laws to deter a huge bunch of tourists from taking Goa for granted. 

The ‘sab kuch chalta hai’ attitude continues to haunt the State, for example, reckless driving on roads and beaches, traffic violations despite prominent signages at major locations, consumption of liquor on beaches and littering of garbage plus glass bottles on the beaches, etc. 

While efforts are made to curb the menace, non-implementation of strict action and lack of adequate infrastructure have encouraged ill-mannered tourists.

On a more positive note, the government has made some headway in promoting spiritual tourism, although a belated move. However, initiatives like hinterland tourism and wellness tourism are yet to materialise in practice.

Ropeway project

Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s (GTDC) ropeway project linking Panaji to Reis Magos remains a distant dream. Activists and citizens under the Save Panjim initiative have objected to the project arguing commercialisation of the capital city’s open and green spaces will lead to congestion and stress on the existing infrastructure.

Part of a Rs 157 crore project, it included a zip line, sky diving services, a 4D aquarium, revolving restaurant, artificial skiing, artificial surfing facilities, etc and was earlier objected to by the City Corporation too.

Helipad Tourism

Years after facing multiple setbacks, the high-profile heli-tourism project in Goa was re-launched this year in Old Goa. The Aguada area and a starred hotel property in South Goa had previously encountered controversies and a lackluster response. However, in February, the project was revitalised with a helipad in Old Goa with Soaring Aerospace Private Limited and Goa Tourism.

Providing a 10-minute joyride covering renowned attractions such as Old Goa churches, Divar Island, Chorao Island, Atal Setu, Panaji City, Miramar, Coco Beach/Nerul Bay, Fort Aguada, Sinquerim Fort and Beach, Calangute Beach, Candolim Beach, and Baga Beach, costs Rs 8,000 per person, inclusive of GST, as per the details shared by the department. Despite this, sources claimed that there has been limited interest in the rides, although the government has not disclosed the number of rides conducted so far.

On the other hand, the Aguada helipad has been in a dire state with the areas getting flooded during the rains and overgrown bushes.

Golf course hits roadblock

The government has time and again spoken about achieving seamless infrastructure, the development of a golf course, and marinas, and an overall enhancement in the quality of tourism services. But activists have blamed the government for not setting things right before starting such a project, as a result of which, it faces strong opposition. Several projects, proposed and nearly confirmed, have hit the roadblock.

For over two decades, the golf course has not seen the light of day with the one at Tiracol mired in controversy and the promoters, around two years ago, filing for bankruptcy.

Did initial bids fall short? EOI for 43 activities reissued

In June of this year, the Tourism Department issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to introduce 43 new as well as rejuvenate some of the pending/shelved concepts. The aim: to showcase Goa’s attractions beyond its beaches.

Subsequently, the cabinet approved ‘Caravan Tours’ and ‘Goa Homestay & Bed & Breakfast.’

Some of the fresh ideas included Caravan tourism and star gazing in addition to efforts to revive previously unsuccessful ventures including seaplanes, Hop On Hop Off, Amphibious tours, and All-Terrain Vehicles. The EOI remained open for bidders until July 11, yet surprisingly, it was reissued the following month.

While officials declined to make statements, sources stated that some activities failed to attract bidders or received minimal bids, prompting the decision to reissue the EOI.