PANJIM: The Congress has alleged that the Goa government has failed to deliver a policy for the growth of a healthy tourism industry, a sector on which the State’s economy and employment generation depends upon.
Addressing the media, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) spokesperson advocate Yatish Naik said the government should improve the tourism sector in Goa instead of worsening it by bringing in projects without a proper study.
“State government and its tourism ministry has miserably failed to conceive a healthy and sustainable Goa centric tourism policy for the State by involving all concerned stakeholders like shack owners, hoteliers, captains of travel and tourism industry, citizens etc,” Naik said. He added that the issues affecting the growth of healthy and sustainable tourism in the State be identified.
He said that the sea plane and the amphibious vehicle projects will not only affect marine life but, to a large extent, hit traditional fishing activity due to vibrations caused through the operation of these vessels in the sea.
Naik said that BJP MLA themselves have been embarrassing the government over drugs and prostitution issues due to which tourism in Goa is declining. It is on the record on the floor of the Assembly that the steady flow of tourists from UK has reduced in the past years and this is a serious issue, Naik said.
He said the government is going against the people wishes, and despite stiff opposition it is not withdrawing the marina projects, but central party leaders visiting Goa are advocating it. “People of Goa are wondering why the BJP, including its central leadership and other ministers, are pushing the idea of marinas when Goans are opposing the concept,” Naik said.
