19 Sep 2021  |   05:30am IST

REBUILDING STATE’S TOURISM — a tough task

Tourism Industry in Goa is taking a beating every year. The government is trying its best to attract high spending tourists, but succeeds in getting only low end spenders. The State which flourished in the early 70’s is coming out with new devices, the latest being the Vision Document to be implemented in a phased manner. VIBHA VERMA details various factors that trigger negative publicity which the authorities are trying to improve the standard of tourism. Pathetic roads, tarballs and arrogant taxi drivers have increased the State’s tourism problems. In the recent past, the tourism industry has been shattered owing to floods, recession, and latest being COVID-19 pandemic but the Stakeholders, are optimistic that tourism will change for better in view of the proposals government is intending to implement
REBUILDING STATE’S TOURISM —  a tough  task

Enough has been spoken and debated about Goa’s declining image on the global platform, and it’s bound to happen considering that the State caters to ample number of tourists from different countries. Any trivial issue, linked to tourism, catches national as well as international attention. But various factors that trigger negative publicity are barely worked upon by the authorities to improve the standard of tourism. Pathetic roads and failure to attract high spending tourists and families could prove costly for Goa in the coming days. 

A year ago, Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar told the media that Goa will have to re-invent its tourism profile and return to the 1960s to rebuild itself as a tourism destination. He emphasised that wealthy tourists will be given preference over budget and local tourists, a statement that has been repeated innumerable times and forgotten too. 

High spending tourists have been a demand from the stakeholders since past couple of years. Besides the fact that low spending visitors contribute minimum revenue to the State, they generate heaps of garbage and litter in open. Goa as we see today is more crowded with budgeted tourists amidst argument over absence of basic infrastructure at several tourist spots and improper garbage disposal at public places.

After Master Plan, the State has released Vision Document to be implemented in a phased manner as it is a mix of revival and creation - yet another attempt to rebuilt Goa’s quality tourism. 

In the financial crisis that tourism sector is in, the Department of Tourism has proposed exploring new funding sources for innovative tourism projects. Interestingly, quite a few developmental projects, which could directly or indirectly benefit tourism, are embroiled in controversy. 

Issues of land use and environment, planning and community involvement in tourism development emerge time and again. While it is for the government and authorities to tackle the issues keeping in mind sentiments of the people and the future of tourism, the vision document proposes to create an alternate channel of funds   apart from Government and private funds   for tourism businesses in Goa by direct participation from bi-lateral/multi-lateral/financial institutions, etc. 

In the recent past, the tourism industry has been shattered owing to floods, recession, and latest being COVID-19 pandemic. The season also closed pre-mature as a result of fewer visitors. 

Turning Goa into ‘Responsible tourism capital of India’ to attract a wider range of tourists and ensure sustainability, continuously improving processes for tourism stakeholders and tourists to make Goa a smooth place to invest and a problem for holiday destination are some objectives the vision document mentions. 

The aim of Tourism Department to transform Goa into an innovative and responsible tourism destination prompts a discussion about what has Goa so far offered to its visitors. 

Goa’s deteriorating roads leading tourists to some important sites while some road stretch that aren’t equipped to handle extra traffic from the growing number of tourists every peak season are somewhere responsible for turning tourists away or giving them a bad impression about this basic infrastructure. The potholes are detracting one and all from the State’s beauty. 

The emergence of tar balls across many beaches, which experts claim is an annual trend, is also playing a spoilsport. Arrogant tourist taxi operators and overcharging of fares have also created a wrong image of Goa with passengers taking to social media narrating their ordeal. 

In the vision document, the three points   short term - medium term and long term goals   will focus on improving infrastructure. 


Appointment of a PR agency seems to have become a challenge for the department, which has been struggling to appoint one since two years. Sources said that in its last tender, the Tourism Department received just one quote which was rejected by the Finance department. A fresh tender is expected to be released shortly as the delay, sources said, is due to the pandemic. So also, the Goa government apparently does not support the concept of outsourcing a PR agency but the stakeholders are adamant to appoint on to counter negative news on the global platform. 

Stakeholders, whom Herald spoke to, are optimistic that tourism will change for better in view of the proposals government is intending to implement. However, determination to go ahead with the plans will be a key factor. 

“On can make plans but ultimately, how these will be implemented will be important. We also feel that implementation will commence once Tourism Board is in place in the right perspective. We are hopeful that government notifies the Tourism Board by this month-end,” President of State’s major umbrella body of tourism stakeholders, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa Nilesh Shah opined. 

The shack operators are too waiting for a quick implementation to achieve something better for the traders, who are struggling for their survival in this time of crisis.  

“They (government) will not be able to help all but they have to start from somewhere. Else we will lag behind and have a lot of problems. At the same time, the department should take into confidence all the stakeholders since we have been into our respective business for several years and hence, will be in a position to explain our circumstances to the authorities in the right manner,” President of Goa Beach Shack Owners Association Cruz Cardozo said. 

The State, which boats of several attractions has still failed partly to cater to the visitors. Cardozo pointed out to absence of changing rooms and toilets at some beaches. “If there are no facilities why will people come to Goa,” he said extending his support to the vision document.

Shah added that as the industry opens up, subject to the possible COVID-19 third wave, Goa will face major competition not within the country but across the world. “Sustainable tourism is the key and lot of challenges will come in as industry opens up. Besides Sindhudurg, Konkan and other tourist destinations in India; Egypt is going to be open its doors for tourism followed by Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bali. A lot of planning is required to ensure Goa lives up to the expectation of the tourists. We have to start working on the promotion and image building of Goa as a safe destination,” Shah said.

Strategic planning: The first major strategic intervention will be to strengthen the institutional structure of Goa Tourism. This will imply the creation of Goa Tourism Board and the establishment of a Goa Tourism Fund. 

The second key strategic undertakings will be to strengthen the economic linkages between Goa Tourism and the private sector. Redefining the roles of each stakeholder will be required, with the government focusing on vision and regulation, while the task of investing and operating will be predominantly lie with the private sector. Policy adjustments will be enforced to facilitate investments in the State. 

The third priority strategic measure will be to develop/facilitate programmes to introduce new tourism projects/services/models in the State. These projects will fit into six strategic programs - Goan waters, Culture & Heritage, Nature based Wellness, Leisure & Entertainment, MICE & Weddings and Wellness. 



IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar