PANJIM: One of the major stakeholders in the tourism industry – Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) – has sought at least partial replacement of non-Goan dishes with the authentic traditional local cuisines served in restaurants along the coastal belt.
In a long list of observations and suggestions made in the module 2 of the Tourism Master Plan, TTAG pointed out to the absence of authentic Goan cuisine in the coastal stretch.
“The kind of cuisine available at present needs improvement. Specialty restaurant(s) dedicated to Goan cuisine, both Hindu and Christian, are available only in the interior and perhaps in the cities. In the coastal belt you get Nepali, Chinese and perhaps pseudo continental food with few exceptions of a few restaurants. This needs to change. Every tourist destination thrives on its own cuisine and culture. But in Goa it is otherwise,” the TTAG headed by President Advocate Francisco de Braganca submitted.
The association also opined that the government needs to be advised that every shack must necessarily have a certain percentage of local dishes besides, giving authentic Goan restaurants tax exemptions and other support so that they can successfully compete in the market.
“There is an imperative need to go back to the core of what forms the Goan experience and that brings us to the way forward – an emphasis on local food, culture, festivals, music and way of life, that’s what’s going to get tourists back. Focus needs to be directed towards tourists who value the environment and quality of life; and not aggressive and insensitive mass tourism,” Braganca added.
TTAG has also suggested improving the overall holiday experience and appeal to an audience that is appreciative and at the same time respectful of local sensibilities.
In other suggestions, TTAG has said there is need to clean the act and see that the destination is clean and safe. “At this stage hot air balloons, sea planes and helicopter rides are not needed as it exposes the destination to safety risk and under belly of garbage and filth around. Unless beach cleaning is a success, an aerial view of the dirty beaches and the slums at the rear cannot be offered to tourists. These activities are part of non essential infrastructure and perhaps be required to be encouraged in the next phase once essential infrastructure is completed,” the association said.
It added that tourism infrastructure projects like hotels, marinas, water-based activities and commercial activities directly dealing with tourists should be best left to private industry, that shows greater commercial sense and mobility in adjusting to changing markets than the government controlled bodies and corporations.
TTAG said the design of the new Mopa airport leaves much to be desired. “It needs to have distinctive Goan features so that when one lands in Goa, the tourists feel the State. Dabolim airport is a disaster both in exterior and interior design,” it said.
It called for rationalising the expenditure and focusing towards tourism related development. “All of the central and state allocation at present is being spent for development of temples and churches. No doubt they need to be developed, but Goa is not a religious or pilgrimage tourism destination,” TTAG said.
