TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: In renewed efforts to hoist brand Goa and increase tourists’ inflow, the government has assured that it would appoint a brand consultant within a month, for suggesting the upgradation of various tourist spots across the State, also calling on MLAs to give a list of places they would like to be developed in their constituencies.
Giving this assurance during Question Hour on Monday, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar also invited proposals from MLAs to identify places in their constituencies that need attention.
“We are in the process of appointing a brand consultant and four to five agencies have already been short-listed. All legislators can submit proposals to the tourism department as to which places in their area need to be upgraded,” Parulekar said, in response to question by Tivim MLA Kiran Kandolkar, who demanded assurance for the development of historic Alorna Fort and Mauli Spring in Pernem for tourism purpose.
Parulekar said that festivals such as Shigmo and Carnival would also be projected in the tourism itinerary on a major scale, since they had the capacity to draw tourists.
A series of demands followed with Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane and MLAs Francisco Pacheco and Vijai Sardesai, demanding upgradation of several locations in their constituencies, which have the potential to attract large number of tourists.
“As soon as proposals come from you (pointing at the demanding legislators) the government will take them up on priority. I will personally monitor it,” Parulekar replied.
Kandolkar stressed the need to focus more on promoting other tourist attractions such as springs and waterfalls rather than stressing on the clichéd beach tourism, to which Parulekar assured that government would promote hinterland tourist attractions.
“Once the brand consultant is appointed, they will conduct the study of such projects,” he added.
To Congress MLA Mauvin Godinho’s question, the minister said all 89 projects of the tourism department are bound to go to the consultant, once he/she is appointed.
The government is however in no mood for opening up streams and springs for tourists fearing contamination. “I have personally witnessed how Salmona Spring in my constituency in Saligao, which is a water body with medicinal value, has been dying a slow death due to dumping of garbage upstream on the hillock. Even the wells nearby are getting contaminated,” Parulekar said.
Opposition Leader Pratapsing Rane had requested that springs with medicinal value such as the Cabo Raj Bhavan Spring be open for visitors, as these would be tourist attractions.
