Goa eyes PPP model for tourism

Goa eyes PPP model for tourism
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 15
Marinas, green parks, convention centre, entertainment parks, and adventure sports are some of the areas where Goa will witness Public Private Participation (PPP) soon.
Nikhil Dessai, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) while participating in knowledge session on “PPP Model for Goa Tourism” at the ongoing International Travel Mart (ITM) 2010 in the city, said GTDC has set the ball rolling for having PPP for development in tourism sector.
Emphasising the need for greater involvement of private players, he said they have the best manpower and access to investment and should be involved in development of tourism industry.
Goa needs to offer new products for families as done by Singapore and other countries to ensure continuous tourists flow in the State, he added.
Ralph de Souza, Chairman, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Committee on Tourism said private participation too is important for further development of tourism industry in Goa.
He recommended that GTDC should develop its properties located in various parts of the State with investment from private sector.
De Souza said private participation in development of tourism is not new to Goa, in fact, in 1960s and 70s, tourism in the coastal belt  flourished with local participation when locals opened their houses to be used as guesthouses.
He said, private players have expertise, dynamism and road map.
He suggested that GTDC’s Anjuna property be converted into entertainment park whereas the property at Miramar be utilized for developing planetarium/oceanarium.
He also favoured using the area at Vagator for a golf course and suggested that Chapora Fort be developed into military museum and the one at Cabo de Rama be converted in classical auditorium.