Tourism sector declining in Goa

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-08-30
PANAJI- The Tourism Minister, Mr Francisco Xavier Pacheco on Friday disclosed that growth of tourism sector in Goa has come down from 28 per cent in the year 2003 to 4 per cent, last year, adding that the growth in the sector is not possible without funds.
The minister also provided statistics, which informed that the number of international tourists from various countries including the UK, Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland and Iran -- with the exception of Russia -- arriving in Goa, has come down during the past two years.
The number of Britons arriving in Goa, has in fact reduced from 1,25,188 in the year 2005-2006 to 1,08,427 in the year 2006-2007 to 1,00,664 in the year 2007-2008. The three years also witnessed altogether 27,333, 33,992 and 42,690 Russian tourists coming down to Goa.
The leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar informed the House that the central government had sanctioned an amount of Rs 82 crore to Goa for undertaking various tourism specific programmes.
“The government could, however, use only Rs 7 crore,” he said.
The Canacona MLA, Mr Vijay Pai Khot, who had recently visited Australia along with a state delegation, told the House that the country had developed its Gold Coast locality to attract more tourists.
Goa, however, has no water park, no amusement park, no jungle tourism, nothing,” he lamented.
The Tourism Minister stated that the beach cleaning operation has been undertaken by the government on large scale, besides privatising beach safety management for reducing drowning cases. He also stated that the government would be happy to welcome private parties who are ready to construct water park, amusement park and so on in Goa.
In addition, Mr Pacheco said the tourism department is willing to construct new toilets, bathing rooms and changing rooms along the beaches, subject to the permission from the Goa Coastal Zone Regulation Authority.
Mr Parrikar observed that the beaches are too congested with large-sized shacks, wooden cots, huge umbrellas and so on, which makes it difficult for the local visitor to the beach to make any movement.
Acknowledging that some of the Goan beaches are usually crowded, the Tourism Minister said that due care has been taken in the shack policy of the government to disallow such crowding on the beaches.