Plans afoot to make Baina a ‘Model Beach’ to woo tourists
A file photo of passengers arriving on a cruise ship at Mormugao port.
VASCO
The port town holds the honour of being the only place in Goa to have an international airport and major port for the arrival and departure of thousands of charter tourists, but that distinction stops there.
Vasco City has virtually nothing to offer and attract charter tourists, leaving them no option but to bypass the city the moment they arrive in the city.
Despite being a well-planned city and having a large shoreline at Baina beach, charter tourists rush out on their arrival at Vasco and sit in coaches to proceed towards pre-arranged stays or tours. They proceed to distant corners of Goa and only return to Vasco to depart from the State with fond memories of their stay in Goa.
Despite having thousands of visitors arrive in Vasco, the business fraternity of the port town has had minimal benefits from the airport and the port.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
The Blue Flag certification demand for Baina Beach seems to have been lost in the process and this status could have fetched in a lot of high-end tourists.
Despite having offices of Goa’s biggest corporates like Fomento, Dempo, Chowgule and Salgaocar, the A-class municipality does not have a single five-starred hotel that could attract corporate tourism and business, considering the proximity to the airport and port.
Several archaeological sites in the city have been neglected and are in shambles. They could have attracted tourists interested in heritage.
Vasco lacks a nightlife culture or clubs to attract young international tourists who prefer other coastal area of Goa. Vasco does not have a dedicated space to host a night market on a few days of a week which could have helped the local business fraternity sell local produce, souvenirs and artefacts.
Mormugao port that lacks a world-class cruise terminal could be made into a port of call that could have attracted cruise vessels to stay in the port overnight, thereby adding business and tourism value of the port town.
A file photo of passengers arriving on a cruise ship at Mormugao port.
RAY OF HOPE
Despite these missed opportunities, there is a ray of hope for Vasco and a lot of new proposals are on the cards, with many of them in Mormugao constituency alone.
Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar wants to seize the opportunity and use the Baina shoreline and other archaeological sites to woo charter tourists.
"I have realised that Baina beach has the biggest potential and can compete with other beaches like Calangute, Baga, which are already on the world map. I have been following up with the tourism minister to make Baina a ‘Model Beach’ with uniform shacks and other facilities that will set it apart from other beaches,” said Amonkar.
“I introduced water sports in the area and that got us thousands of tourists last season. To attract international tourists at Baina beach, we have introduced snorkelling, scuba diving parasailing and other high-end activities."
Regarding international cruise ships, Amonkar said they have already laid the foundation stone for a world-class international cruise terminal at the port.
“We are also pressing for the other connecting projects like Ro-Ro ferry and a ropeway project. I have also discussed and followed up with Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte and Union Shipping Minister Shripad Naik to make Mormugao Port as the port of call so that cruise ships can stay here for a day or more, enabling international tourists to explore nearby areas," said Amonkar.
The Mormugao MLA said he has also taken up the issue of revamping and redevelopment of Archaeological sites like the Sada Fort and the Vice Regal palace which are in the port’s jurisdiction and promote it for tourism activity.
“These structures are beautiful and can attract some commercial and tourism activities. Archaeology Minister Shubash Phaldessai has already assured to take up both these projects," said Amonkar.
"Besides, we have a coastline which has islands, and many people sometimes stop on the four-lane highway to catch a beautiful view of the sunset. I have now proposed a viewing gallery that will be a separate location on the bridge and help people view sunsets and the seamless ocean through the facility. I have also proposed a glass bridge from the sides of Japanese garden at Sada on government land, which will enhance tourism activity in Mormugao constituency," said Amonkar.
