PANAJI
Minister for Tourism Rohan Khaunte has emphasized quality tourism while hailing the authorities for cracking down on illegal activities along the beach belt.
He was reacting to Calangute village panchayat's action against the illegal operations of two dance bars in its jurisdiction. "It is a welcoming step by the Calangute panchayat for closing down the dance bars that gave a bad image to the State. A strong message should be sent out to the illegal touts, hawkers and other illegal operators that the government will not tolerate such nuisances," Khaunte said at a media briefing on Tuesday.
The Tourism Department, through an order, has given the Goa Police powers to not only detain the illegal operators but arrest them under relevant provisions of the law. "I have been continuously talking about how Goa needs to survive with proper model and that we need to change the perception among tourists visiting our State," he further said adding, "CM (Pramod Sawant) has also given directions to act against the illegality on the beach belt and he has also personally taken a stock of the situation."
The department, the tourism minister added, has always considered the stakeholders to ensure irregularities are cleansed from the State and quality tourism is promoted.
The State is at it's peak season with arrival of a huge number of domestic and international tourists. Beach side events have already begin whereas Christmas and New Year eve parties are also slated from the north to the south part of Goa.
