Admitting that Goa has had to compete with other popular destinations to attract tourists, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, in an interview with the Herald outlines the various initiatives by the State government to promote coastal and hinterland tourism in Goa.
HERALD: Goa has witnessed a sharp drop in foreign tourist arrivals this season. What is your assessment of the situation?
Dilip Parulekar: Yes, there is drop in the foreign tourists this year. Due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the European Union has imposed sanctions on Russians due to which the economy of Russia has crippled. The Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued directions prohibiting their citizens from going abroad as the economy is under distress. It is for this reason there has been a considerable drop in Russian tourists visiting Goa.
Secondly, countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand are not only issuing visas on arrival but also they have reduced the visa charges by 50%. In some countries, there are no visa charges. Tourists, therefore, prefer to visit those countries which offer them better facilities.
Thirdly, hoteliers and travel operators hike their prices substantially during Christmas vacation when most tourists come down to Goa. This is also one reason why tourists prefer to go elsewhere.
HERALD: What is being done to promote Goa as a favourable destination among foreign and domestic tourists?
DP: There is a threat to Goa from other tourist destinations. To promote tourism, frequent participation in exhibitions and road shows in foreign countries is very important. Since other countries also participate in these events, it is necessary that Goa should also participate to show its presence at these events.
Goa should have good quality infrastructure to attract more tourists. Goa has taken numerous steps in this direction. First, a delegation from the tourism department had met the Director General of Civil Aviation and discussed the proposal of Sea Plane facilities. The Civil Aviation ministry has granted us the approval and a sea plane service will be started by January end.
Second, the assembly of an amphibious vehicle has begun at the ACGL plant in Valpoi and this will be an added attraction for tourists in the coming years. This service will be provided by a private agency.
Third, the tourism department plans to introduce a ropeway facility from Reis Magos fort to Miramar. The Nerul communidade has agreed to issue NOC and the land acquisition process has already started.
Fourth, the state government has been pursuing with the Centre on the issue of Visa on Arrival facility for the last two years. The centre has finally agreed to this request and Goa is one among six airports in India to get this facility.
Fifth, a delegation from the tourism department along with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and officials from Dabolim Airport Authority and the Navy met Civil Aviation Minister Ganapati Raju and Director General of Civil Aviation to discuss parking facilities for scheduled flights at Dabolim Airport. The Civil Aviation Ministry has granted parking facilities for eight scheduled flights, which includes Thomson of UK and TUI of Germany.
HERALD: The existing foreign tourists are unhappy with garbage woes along Goa’s beaches and are opting for other cleaner beaches elsewhere in the country. How is the tourism department addressing this problem?
DP: It is true that tourists find that there is poor maintenance of Goan beaches. The tourism department has taken cognizance of it and has issued tenders for the cleanliness of beaches. The agency appointed for the purpose has already started the work. Recently, the tourism department inspected the beaches and it was observed that the beaches are much cleaner than before.
The tourism department has also started construction of changing rooms, locker rooms and other infrastructure in the main beaches at Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Colva, Miramar and Benaulim.
HERALD: The general complaint from tourists and locals is that while coastal tourism is being given priority, hinterland tourism has been ignored. Tourists are unaware that historic caves, temples and other heritage sites even exist in the first place. What is your response?
DP: To boost hinterland tourism, the government has decided to construct guest houses at Tambdi Surla, Mangueshi and Nageshi temples, besides the development of tourist spots such as ‘Budbudyanchem Talem’ in Sanguem.
The Central government has agreed to provide finance to the tune of Rs 150 crore for 24 projects.
HERALD: Besides promoting tourism, is the tourism department involved in activities for the benefit of locals in the State?
DP: The tourism department organises, promotes and supports various local events, such as an all-Goa inter-college football tournament and a state-level singing competition to promote culture and sports in the State. In addition, a number of festivals are also promoted by the tourism department.
HERALD: Bitter rivalry between hoteliers and the taxi lobby has left a negative image among tourists. What is being done to rectify this ongoing problem?
DP: Recently, there was a big hue and cry about Russians operating taxi services in Goa. Some of the tourists arriving from Russia do not understand English nor can they speak in English. They naturally look out for Russian restaurants and taxi operators who can communicate in their mother tongue.
When Indian tourists go abroad, they too like to visit Indian restaurants and seek the assistance of Indian taxi operators. There is nothing wrong in it. All types of facilities should be made available for the tourists to boost tourism in the State.
