Team Herald
PANJIM: In what could be an irony, the State government notified the long-awaited Goa Tourism Policy 2020 despite major stakeholders expressing their dissatisfaction.
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The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), after a series of joint meetings, on November 12 had written to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant expressing “dissatisfaction” about the Policy as well as the structure of the Goa Tourism Board. The Policy was published in the government Gazette on November 13.
“The Goa Tourism Policy has been in the making for almost two decades and therefore we propose that this Policy be done in a sustainable and balanced manner as this important Policy is expected to shape the future of Tourism in Goa for decades to come. The Goa Tourism Board will play a crucial role in decision making with regard to the implementation and functioning of this Policy,” letter jointly written by the TTAG, CII and GCCI stated.
The stakeholders emphasised that the government should formulate the Goa Tourism Policy 2020 comprehensively and that the Goa Tourism Board has a balanced representation of all key stakeholders in the trade in order to facilitate sound decision making for the betterment of the tourism sector in Goa.
TTAG President Nilesh Shah, CII Chairman Blaise Costabir and GCCI President Manoj Caculo have urged to allow them the time till November 30, to collate their inputs and suggestions; ensure that the Goa Tourism Policy is not implemented till their inputs are submitted and to ensure that the Board is not formulated until the proposed inputs are taken up for joint discussions.
While several other suggestions were put forth, the government went ahead publishing a notification last Friday.
The recently formed Goa Tourism Board having presence of majority of government appointees was not welcomed with the travel and tourism sectors flaying the manner in which the Dr Pramod Sawant-led government formed the Board.
