Team Herald
PORVORIM: The Opposition members on Wednesday cornered Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte in the Goa Legislative Assembly for spending crores of rupees on foreign trips.
However, Khaunte defended the Department of Tourism’s participation, stressing the importance of Goa’s presence at global platforms to boost the State’s international tourism profile.
Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa raised concerns over the Department of Tourism’s foreign trips, questioning their value and whether they truly benefit Goa or are simply a waste of taxpayers’ money. He expressed his skepticism about the effectiveness of these international events in promoting Goa’s tourism. He said that the government had spent Rs 1 crore on foreign trips and asked whether these trips were really to promote tourism or junkets.
In response, Khaunte emphasised that such participation is crucial for showcasing Goa to a broader audience and attracting more tourists and for positioning.
He also reassured the House that a proper tendering process was followed for all foreign trips undertaken by the department, ensuring transparency and accountability in these expenditures. This exchange highlights the ongoing debate about the value of international engagement and the responsible use of public funds in promoting Goa’s tourism.
The Minister told the House that agencies involved in these initiatives are empanelled under A and B categories, selected through a structured tender process for overseas engagements undertaken by the department.
According to the Incredible India 2024 report, the United States (US) ranks second in tourist footfall across India and fourth highest in Goa, highlighting the State's growing appeal among global travellers.
Opposition MLAs highlighted that between 2019 and 2023, Rs 40 crore were spent from the State exchequer on foreign trips by the Department. They also sought to know whether these foreign trips were approved through a tendering process or nomination basis or post-facto approval.
The opposition members also stated that the Minister had not furnished details of his OSD (officer on special duty) who travelled foreign countries. The Minister told them that the bills were yet to be settled since 2023 and therefore the expenses had not been reflected in the reply. He also said that the bills of the travel by the Secretary (Tourism) were also not settled and pending due to political clearance issues.
Pointing to decline in tourists from Scandinavian countries, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas asked whether the government has taken feedback from tourists from Scandinavian countries on what Goa needs to do to bring back high-end tourists.
The Minister said that the government is actively promoting tourism beyond the beaches, with a strong focus on developing hinterland destinations. He also disclosed the government’s plan to introduce the Airline Incentives Scheme only for emerging markets aiming to boost Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) and establish Goa as a premier travel hub, attracting high-spending visitors.
Tempers flare over ‘incorrect and
inadequate data’ on tourism
PANJIM: The Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a heated debate between Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and Sant Andre MLA Viresh Borkar with the latter alleging “incorrect and inadequate data” in answers to his starred question on the tourism plan to attract high-end tourists in the State,
Borkar walked into the well of the house in protest.
Tempers flared when Borkar, who had tabled a starred question on the tourism plan to attract high-end tourists in the State, sought to know the details of the amount spent on upgradation of tourism infrastructure by the Tourism Department in the last three years. He demanded to know whether new tourist landmarks have been identified and developed. But Khaunte said that information cannot be furnished in view of Rule 37 of The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
The MLA was annoyed when the Minister stated that country-wise data from 2023 onwards was not available as the source agencies submitted only the consolidated data of international tourist arrivals.
Borkar also sought to know how much amount was spent on road shows, events, study tours, social media promotion, television and radio and which markets were tapped to attract high-end tourists to the State.