PANJIM: Laying
emphasis on enhancing infrastructure development conceding that increase in
‘tourist traffic’ has brought pressure on existing infrastructure, Tourism
Department has proposed adventure sports such as scuba diving, giant swing,
flying fox cable ride and snorkeling.
“The
department has initiated scuba diving and snorkeling, yoga tours, 5D
entertainment box, houseboats, heritage boat cruises on Mandovi, bungee jumping
and allied extreme adventure sports like giant swing and flying fox cable ride…
kayaking and shikara boat rides, all terrain vehicles, giant wheel and 3D
entertainment,” reads the department’s performance budget for the year 2015-16,
which was tabled during the ongoing monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly.
In a bid
to attract visitors all round the year, besides increasing the influx during
the tourist season, the State launched three projects – sea planes, amphibious
vehicles and hot balloon services. However, the first two services could not be
officially launched despite successful trials pending permission from the
Centre. Sources said the government has been pursuing with the concerned ministry
to expedite approvals.
The
department, through Goa Tourism Development Corporation, has already carried
out various development works at popular tourist hubs.
For the
current year, it proposes to upgrade illumination systems and identify land
pockets for development. Similarly, the process to set up tourist information
centres, public amenities, safety and security on beaches, upgradation of toilet
facilities, development of Mayem lake boating, upgradation and beautification
of tourists places in Quepem and its properties along the beach side is
underway.
“We will
provide facilities like toilets, changing rooms and shower rooms on all beaches.
A mobile-based service for Goa Tourism aims at providing user friendly tourist
guidance services through mobile devices to the final user,” the budget report
further mentions.
As per
statistics, the State received 1,58,726 foreign tourists in the 2015-16 tourist
season, a drop by over 9,000 against the total 1,68,206 recorded during the
previous year. The drop in charter flights owing to a crisis in certain
countries is attributed to the decline in foreign arrivals as the last tourist
season witnessed 786 charter flights compared to 908 in the preceding year.
