PANJIM: The Manohar Parrikar Cabinet cleared Goa investment policy 2014 that has tourism as one of the major focus areas to attract several investors and high-end tourists to the coastal State, has got brickbats from a section who argue that the policy has sidelined the traditional thrust.
Industry players also rue it would be a setback for small entrepreneurs as well as low-income group, both of whom are equally important to generate revenue.
Fr Maverick Fernandes of the Centre for Research Tourism, a social body run by the church, termed the policy as ‘disastrous.’
“It is a disastrous policy. My first question is who will benefit from this? Is it to benefit the Goans or only enhance revenue of big players in the industry,” he questioned while past President of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Manguirish Pai Raikar pointed out a miss to this policy – promoting village tourism. In the same breath, he suggested eco-friendly development in the villages where tourism could be promoted.
“My view will be to promote village tourism provided tourists have something to see in the villages. In Savoi-Verem, from a mountain you can actually see the airport. This place can be promoted for hiking and mountain climbing. There is also a picturesque river where one can go fishing. Tourists like this. But for all this you need a vision,” he suggested adding it will also encourage family tourism to Goa. “If these areas are marketed, we would certainly have ample number of visitors from all over the world. We have exploited beaches, churches and temples too much”, he said.
The Government has increased its focus on high spending tourists with a potential to significantly impact the State economy and provide employment. It has also underlined importance on health tourism inviting investments to develop the facilities.
However, the tourism minister Dilip Parulekar had something more to say to this:
“The choice before GT is to determine the carrying capacity for which a Tourism Master Plan is the need of the hour. We also need to improve the profile of the tourists who visit the State so that the Goan economy benefits to a large extent from fewer tourists who spend more and contribute in a greater measure to the state’s economy. We have to make efforts to upscale ourselves and I welcome the investment policy which emphasizes on high-end tourism,” he said, adding that the recent announcement by Union Finance Minister in the budget that Goa will be positioned as International Centre for Conventions will also help to attract tourists to the State which will further help in improving the profile of tourists.
“Goa Tourism Department is gearing itself to create the required infrastructure so that tourism continues to be a major driver and vehicle of growth for our economy so as to provide jobs and livelihood to our future generations. We will focus on MICE, heritage tourism, wedding tourism, adventure tourism, leisure tourism as some of the major segments to focus upon,” Parulekar reiterated.
Other stakeholders too have given thumbs up to the policy claiming it will support smaller traders even as some others feel it will be vice-versa. “The policy is in right direction keeping in view 15-20 years of tourism in Goa. The areas that need to be developed is water and power supply. High-end tourism will encourage smaller businesses as this set of tourists will indeed shop, get in to eatery outlets and other places,” President of Goa Hotels & Restaurant Association Gaurish Dhond said.
Sachit Kunkolienkar, a local businessman, who runs three stores of Kashmiri home products along the Candolim-Calangute belt is expecting more buyers to various shops located along the coastal stretch. “We do get a number of domestic and foreign tourists for our products. But I feel, whatever steps government is undertaking to promote tourism is to benefit everyone in this industry,” he said.
Bike rentals, too may get a boost. “Majority tourists prefer roaming around places independently, be it high-end or low-end. If the government’s plan is to further improve tourism, then I believe it is good for all of us,” Prachi Kundaikar, co-owner of bike rentals at Candolim said.
The two are among many who admit they are not aware what Investment Policy is all about.
However, this is not the view of others as Fr Maverick opined that it is not in favour of small entrepreneurs. “Not all the stakeholders in tourism industry have been taken into confidence. Have the smaller traders being consulted? High end tourism will overpower them. This is not democracy,” he said.
He also foresees that the policy is not meant for low income groups who also add to the tourism revenue. “Why should only the rich and might come to Goa? Why can’t a carpenter from another country afford to spend vacation here? The policy is not designed properly,” he said.
