MAPUSA
Short of saying that he was eyeing the tourism ministry, Ports Minister Michael Lobo on Saturday said he was ready to go all out and take additional responsibility to bring about necessary changes in the tourism industry by taking all stakeholders into confidence.
“The tourism industry is bleeding and we cannot allow this to go on any longer. I have spoken to the party and the chief minister to bring about changes in the industry. I am ready to take any responsibility the CM is going to give me. The industry requires a special focus. BJP and the CM will have to decide,” Lobo said.
He also said whatever the outcome, he will no longer remain a mute spectator to the downfall of tourism in Goa and will voice out problems ailing the industry across the State.
The Ports Minister was speaking at the sidelines of an event to flag off the Tourism Motor Bike Ride-Goa 2020 from Baga beach.
The event was organised by the Skal International Goa in collaboration with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa ostensibly to announce to the world that Goa was ready for tourism.
Continuing, Lobo said Goa was getting the numbers but not quality tourists which bring in the moolah.
“We don’t want numbers. We are not interested in the figures shown by the tourism department. We want quality tourists (International and Indian quality tourists),” he said.
Giving the example of Mauritius, he said the number of tourists visiting that country was very small but the quantum of business “ the turnover of the hotel industry, foreign exchange earned by the country was huge and this is what Goa lacked.
