PANJIM: In a first, Goa will soon have a Tourism Act formulated to prepare the state for the competitive tourism market for the future.
After attending the Goa Tourism Board (GTB) meeting at Panjim, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte informed that the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad will aid the Department of Tourism to prepare the Tourism Act, which will be the first of its kind in the country. A presentation was given by the representatives of NALSAR.
“When there is an act for tourism there is a better handling of tourism and proves to be the backbone. We have to make Goa Tourism competitive in the global market. The act will help us to be one level up,” Khaunte said.
Khaunte said that the Act will be ready by January 2023 and will cover all aspects of tourism in Goa. He informed that next five years are going to be very important for Goa Tourism.
“We will come up with a call centre based redressal system which will help resolve issues pertaining to tourism. The service will be provided in three languages initially which will be later extended in five languages,” he informed.
The GTB also discussed the nomination of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa under the Centre’s PRASAD scheme wherein Rs 41.79 crore will be provided for the development of the Basilica and to create infrastructure to help the pilgrims during the exposition of St Francis Xavier in 2024.
Khaunte said that the 1300-seater mini Convention Centre at Patto-Panjim will be ready by May next year while all the old records of the Department of Tourism, GTDC and the Project Cell will be digitised. He said that beach cleaning will now be extended at dead end of beaches and the new timings will be from 6 am to 9 pm.
