PANAJI
the tourism industry is now worth $2 billion (Rs14,000 crores) per year in Goa and makes up 17% of the State GDP and provides employment to 35% of the state's population, according to a BJP press release.
The BJP government has tripled the number of tourists in just 8 years from 26 lakhs in 2012 to 80 lakhs in 2019.
In 2004 the number of tourists that came to Goa under Manohar Parrikar’s rule was 24.5 lakhs. After Congress rule started, the number of tourists grew only by 2 lakhs to reach 26.5 lakhs in 2011. This is not even a 10% growth across 7 years of INC rule.
In contrast, BJP has delivered huge tourism growth. By 2019, in just 8 years, we grew this number to 80.6 lakhs per year.
Congress added just 2 lakh tourists in 7 years, and BJP added 53 lakh in the same period.
Today Goa has 4,070 hotels and paying guest rooms, and 1,300 (30%) of these have been added after 2012 under BJP rule. 30,000 beds were also added from 2012-2019, adds the BJP press release.
Most of this growth has come in Category C and Category D “ home based paying guests and small hotels, which has meant that local Goans have benefitted under the BJP government.
In 2011 tourists used to come only to beaches. The BJP Government has made a conscious effort to boost tourism to non-beach locations, by focussing on historical sites, eco-tourism, and agro-tourism. Due to this, now Goa sees tourism all year round in summer and monsoon months as well meaning Goans get employment throughout the year.
The BJP government has actively promoted tourism in the state and has developed infrastructure and facilities to improve the conditions of travel for tourists, both Indian and foreign.
The dedication that the BJP has towards developing Goa for its citizens is made evident from the increased budgetary allowance for tourism as compared to the budgetary allowance under the Congress Govt.
The INC spent an average of only Rs41 crores on tourism from 2005-2012. Under the BJP, an average of Rs161 crores a year has been spent on developing tourism. In fact, in the year 2020-21, BJP is spending Rs257 crores.
The State government implemented several initiatives on tourists' safety, which allowed it to reopen as early as July 2020, one of the first in India. Goa became the first State in India to get the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC's) "Safe Travels Stamp."
The State government of Goa set up the Tourism Police Force with the intention of reducing crime against foreign tourists, and to brand Goa as a safe tourist destination. Crimes against tourists have dropped by 85% subsequently to just 11 in a year.
The Tourism Policy 2020 has been framed to offer a uniquely Goan experience to the visitors by presenting a versatile concoction of historic, natural, ethnic, cultural locations and attractions. A new tourism board is formed to execute this 25-year vision for Goa.
From investing in tourism infrastructure like ropeways, helipads and other world class facilities to improving adventure sports facilities like the bungee Jumping station at Mayem Lake, the BJP Government is determined to put Goa on the international tourist map, adds the BJP press release.
BJP has successfully tripled tourism in Goa, taking it to a Rs14,000 crore per year industry. Number of tourists have tripled from 26 lakhs in 2012 under the INC to 80 lakhs in 2019 under BJP rule. This dedicated approach of the BJP has brought radical improvement in the tourism industry in Goa.
