Malls, convention centres, oceanariums to change Goa into a mega tourist enterprise l Massive tourism infrastructure planned through PPP mode
The big ask: Will it still be Goa?
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Goa tourism’s new brand signature line may be kenna fast, kenna slow, but to experience the brand, it will not be just kenna expensive. It will always be. The tourism focus in the State’s Investment Policy has made high-end spending permanent. There’s nothing ‘kenna’ (sometimes) about it.
The message is clear. Come to Goa when you are loaded with cash or credit cards with unlimited spending allowances. The Policy underlines the approach that additional spends will justify the quantum leap in infrastructure expenditure.
“Till today on an average it is the middle-income tourists — both local and foreign — that visit the State not spending all that much but adding to the congestion and the general pressure on the infrastructure”.
Nikhil Desai, Director Department of Tourism talks about maximizing returns while Travel and Tourism Association, President Francisco de Braganca talks about the need to improve infrastructure.
“We have been talking about high-end tourists for long at various forums. But unless there is investment in infrastructure one cannot attract high-end tourists,” says Braganca.
The focus will be on construction of marinas, oceanariums, theme parks, shopping malls, food and beverage outlets, entertainment centers, handicraft centres and Convention centers.
And, the development of high-end water and adventure sports, hinterland river cruise tourism, heritage tourism and home stays in heritage houses are sought to be done through private investment or Public Private Partnership.
While this thrust is on, there are people including public representatives who wonder if this will translate into benefits for locals and the local industry. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo in an informal chat with the Herald remarked “I hope all this benefits the common man”.
And a more important question – with mega malls, convention centres and so on, will this still be Goa?
Quote room
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“It is high time that we maximize the average returns of tourism rather than going on numbers. The Policy will benefit the local economy and encourage high-end tourists. The inputs for the Policy had come from a lot of stakeholders during consultation and these were subsequently fine-tuned and this becomes the major highlight of the policy. There are better chances to smoothly go ahead with the policy.”
— Nikhil Desai Director, Department of Tourism
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This will raise the level of tourism infrastructure and thereby raise the level of tourists coming into Goa. We have been talking of high-end tourists for long at various forums. But, unless there is investment in infrastructure one cannot attract high-end tourists. The Chief Minister always had great ideas, but lack of funds created by various adverse factors prevented him from achieving his objectives
— Francisco de Braganca, President Travel and Tourism Association of Goa
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It is a very good move because Goa is small in size and numbers mean nothing. The larger the number, there is more pressure on the infrastructure and streets. What is required now, is fewer yet high-end visitors through whose spending, the revenue in Goa will be constant. This is a good Investment Policy as it will generate income and the number of visitors will also be controlled.
— Ralph D’Souza, past President Travel and Tourism Association of Goa
