Discussions on finances, industry, jobs in Goa effortlessly switch from mining to tourism, and with the former now at a standstill, it is not surprising that MLAs in the Assembly have spoken in favour of ‘safeguarding’ the tourism industry in the State. Velim MLA Felipe Neri Rodrigues’ tourism is the backbone of the State and that since mining has collapsed, tourism should not be allowed to suffer. MLAs also went on to question the government as to when the tourism master plan will be ready. The answer given is that a policy will be out in three months and that there are a lot of projects planned.
The MLAs are right in their apprehensions. Today, tourism being one of the mainstays of the State’s economy the industry needs to be not just ‘safeguarded’ but also promoted. What is worrying is that the State plods along without even a proper policy for the industry, which may possibly lead to an unhealthy growth of tourism, that could eventually have a negative effect on the industry.
Dy Speaker Michael Lobo’s assertion that it is now five years that the tourism master plan is being spoken of, but there has been no progress on it, sums up the frustration that the industry will be feeling as it awaits the plan and the years rush by, without it being released. Lobo went on further to say that the agency allotted the work of preparing the master plan may not be capable of doing it. When an MLA says this in the House, it has to be taken seriously by the government, especially since the MLA is a member of the party in power, and is also the Deputy Speaker. Could there be an inquiry as to why the plan is taking such a long time?
Two years ago, the agency entrusted with the task of drawing up the master plan for tourism released the draft version seeking comments and suggestions from the people. What has happened since then? Does it take this long for the agency to sift through the views put forth by the people and arrive at a finalised master plan? The draft plan had drawn objections, have these been taken into account while finalizing the plan? There are a lot of questions but will the answers be forthcoming?
Given the long delay, some of the terms of reference given to the agency in drafting the master plan could now be irrelevant and the possibility of Goa’s tourism needs changing even before the plan is readied can now not be brushed aside. Look at how long it has already taken. The process to prepare a tourism master plan began in December 2012 when the government began looking for a suitable agency to undertake the task. In 2014 KPMG was finalised as the agency to undertake the project, and the plan was expected within a year, ten months from the date. The agency presented a draft in 2016 and today we are in 2018 without the master plan in hand yet.
The State is a couple of months away from a new tourist season. Time enough to unveil the 25-year plan in the making before the tourists start landing and the industry stakeholders gets busy with the grind. Goa’s tourism industry needs to know what the government plans for it. Hopefully the government already knows this and is itself not in the dark
