CANACONA
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Saturday announced the launch of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation Canacona Darshan on fixed days.
“The special tourism promotion service will bring people from a location in Panaji on a full-day tour of Canacona on fixed days. The package to be included in the Canacona Darshan will be worked out in coordination with Canacona MLA and Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar,” said Khaunte
The minister was speaking to reporters in Canacona at the Government Rest House in Shrishthal after the second day of his tour of Canacona Taluka, where he inspected the beaches at Polem, Galgibaga, Talpona, Rajbhag, Patnem, Colomb, Palolem and Agonda, besides the hinterlands at Chapoli Dam, Adarsh Gram, Bamon-Budo and Kuskem waterfalls.
Others present during the tour included Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar, Director of Tourism Nikhil Dessai, Secretary (Tourism) Sanjiv Ahuja, GTDC MD Brijesh Mardalkar and BJP Mandal President Vishal Dessai.
“At a time when some try to confuse people over Mopa and Dabolim Airports, the government is giving a clear message that when we have come to the extreme south to prepare/add new areas and amenities from coastal to hinterland tourism, to develop opportunities to generate revenue and employment.”
“Canacona will be developed in terms of beaches, agro-tourism, wellness tourism, improvement in existing water-sports facilities, existing shacks, spiritual tourism, adventure tourism, etc. In this manner we will create a whole circuit,” said Khaunte. “We will take funding directly from the State fund for short-term infrastructure, while the Swadesh Darshan, a central scheme, will be utilised for the long-term infrastructure. We will ensure one central package for Canacona and Sanguem talukas.”
Further stating that tourism has changed especially after the Covid pandemic, Khaunte said expectations of tourists have also changed. “If we do not make corrections, we will lose out on our most preferred tourist destination tag. We will make Canacona a preferred destination within the Most Preferred Goa Tourist Destination,” said Khaunte.
“We have personally seen the Agonda beach, Butterfly beach, Honeymoon beach, Galgibaga beach and Palolem beach. We will develop these beaches by protecting the environment, but bring in sustainable development and responsible tourism,” he added.
‘Homestay Policy to attract new markets’
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said the Tourism Homestay Policy would be launched to develop the ward, village and taluka, which would attract new markets.
“The Tourism Homestay Policy will provide direct and indirect employment and revenue,” said Khaunte.
