13 May 2020  |   04:48am IST

Rebranding Goa 2.0: sustainable tourism requires a clean, new image!

A webinar held recently discussed the way ahead for tourism in the state and the possible way ahead

Team Cafe

 

Ideas For Goa held a high-powered webinar on tourism and hospitality on May 12. Moderated by Samarth Kholkar, CEO & Co-Founder of B:Live, the panelists included, Jack Sukhija, Partner, Panjim Inn; Vincent Ramos of Taj Group of Hotels; Parag Rangnekar of Mrugaya Nature Retreat; Ravi Shankar, CEO of Drishti Marine; Francisco De Braganca, Owner of Doubletree by Hilton,Arpora and Ernest Dias of Sita Travels.

Samarth Kholkar said, “The current situation has given us a great opportunity to Reset, Rethink and Rebuild Goa. We need ideas to be thought on the bedrock of sustainability not just of environment but Goan culture as well. We have the golden opportunity to emerge as the most preferred destination, post Covid 19.”

Francisco De Braganca of Doubletree by Hilton, Arpora said, “We have submitted so many white papers and report to the government but these suggestions are never implemented. We must bring together all bodies under a strong and fully empowered Tourism Board that has powers even over government departments and GTDC etc. The Tourism Master Plan must get implemented through this Board“

Ravi Shankar of Drishti Marine said, “As sad as it is, this interruption gives us an opportunity to come back with strength, innovation and a newly positioned product. It will allow each stakeholder to redefine and align their businesses into a more sustainable and progressive format. It has given our fragile eco system the much needed break to renew itself. We are now presented (with no efforts made) with a Goa that has gone back by 15 years in terms of natural beauty. No flotsam on water, backwaters are clearing up and forest garbage dumps disappearing. Goa does not need reinvention.”

The tourist mix is likely to see a dramatic change too. Foreign tourist arrivals which had, in recent years, seen a shift away from European to Russian charters are also likely to see a change. To make up the shortfall, the government had targeted Chinese inbound tourism. Most industry participants feel that the immediate thrust will be domestic tourism.

Ernest Dias of Sita Travels said, “We must concentrate on eco-tourism and villa tourism - small, family-oriented accommodation. I see a big potential in villas being the next big thing in Goa. We are already seeing bookings for the winters as Europeans may not be able to travel this summer.”

Parag Rangnekar of Mrugaya Nature Retreat said, “Ideal travelers who respect the destination they are visiting and act as true guests. We have been in wildlife tourism business for many years and have never had any unruly guests because we set the criteria for ourselves. Post CoVid, we must be careful to promote the right sort of tourism which has buy-in from the local community and creates livelihoods and not just jobs.”

Goa derives a lot of much-needed revenue from casino operators. Many of these casinos operate in the waters of the Mandovi river. Jack Sukhija, Owner of Panjim Inn in Fontainhassaid “Casinos are here to stay. The state derives a lot of revenue from these. We must evolve Fontainhas and the entire Panjim City can still be a deemed heritage destination just like Fort Cochin in Kerala.”

Given that the effects of the virus are likely to be felt long after the immediate lockdown period has ended, there seems to be no end in sight for the current plight of the industry. How does one create a new identity for Goa?

Vincent Ramos of Taj Group of Hotels said, “A lot of good work has already been done by various committees and TTAG and other stakeholders. But no coordinated efforts to create a strong PR campaign have seen the light of day. We must have our own identity and build publicity campaigns around that. Just like Kerala’s “Gods Own Country”. We must evolve our own identity too.”