Thursday 29 May 2025

Enhancing Goa's appeal beyond 'one tourist spot'

ALWYN FERNANDES, Benaulim | MAY 27, 2025, 08:09 PM IST

As our Ministers plan to develop just one world-class tourist spot, I believe that instead, Goa, in its entirety, has potential but needs improvement. To reach international standards, we must focus on infrastructure, starting with cleanliness and hygiene. Additionally, local tourists' & touts' behavior towards international tourists needs attention, particularly the harassment of international visitors for selfies and sales. Our public transport system also requires upgrading, including clean and well-maintained bus stops and buses. While on beaches water sports, casinos are main attractions, we should diversify our offerings to include museums, guided treks, architecture sites, sanctuaries and field visits, which appeal to international visitors. Furthermore, we need to address the impact of global warming on our tourism industry. The primary culprit -- Approvals for infrastructure and commercial construction projects, should be scrutinized. Lastly, maintaining public spaces and accurately representing place names will enhance our reputation – for example, the Museum of Goa is an art gallery, not what the name suggests. We just need to address these areas instead of creating another opportunity for corruption in the name of developing one tourist spot.




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