The Goa Tourism Policy 2020 lacks basic empirical data on tourism in the State and is devoid of realistic statics of tourists, both foreign and domestic who come in.
This policy won't benefit Goa and Goans as the government has displayed complete disconnect and ignorance about the present status of tourism in the State and the challenges faced by the stakeholders and local communities involved in tourism related activities.
The local community should benefit from hinterland tourism. There’s no clarity over how the government will go about attracting tourists to the State’s hinterland.
The move to attract ‘high-spending’ tourists round the year exhibits bankruptcy of thought. Already coronavirus has hit tourism and travel sector hard.
The tourism policy has been hastily notified to benefit “certain hidden agendas for certain vested interests”.
The policy has also been criticised by three industry bodies including Tourism and Travel Association of Goa which has asked that its implementation be delayed till specific ground feedback is received and the policy adequately modified.
