PANJIM: In a bid to attract a better calibre of tourists to the sunshine state, the Goa government has decided to identify the land banks available with the tourism department, for the development of various infrastructure projects either on a public-private partnership (PPP) model or as a joint venture initiative.
Also, to boost Goa's popularity as an event destination, the government has decided to grant single window permissions to all major tourism events and to formulate a policy in this regard.
For the implementation of these decisions, Tourism Director Nikhil Desai on Wednesday issued an order to form 'Empowered Committees' on land and infrastructure, new tourism services and marketing and public relations, which will function under the chairmanship of Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte.
The government had in November last year notified the formation of the Goa Tourism Board (GTB), as an apex body for planning, policy-making, strategising and overseeing the implementation of various tourism programs and initiatives in the State.
The government has also roped in four subject matter experts as members of the GTB. Expert in heritage and culture Sanjeev Sardessai, an expert in eco-tourism and wildlife Parag Ajit Rangnekar, expert in travel operations and charters Ernest Dias and an expert in the management of cruise liners Mark Anthony Mendes have been recruited by the government for a period of two years.
Under GTB, the Empowered Committees (ECs) for proper functioning, delegation, policy-making and implementation of various tourism development programs or initiatives are now been constituted.
The land and infrastructure EC will also identify new land for acquisition along with planning the development of existing properties and monitoring the same. It will also have to undertake studies on the carrying capacity and environmental impact of the proposed projects or activities.
The EC on new tourism services will be dealing with granting single window clearances for new tourism projects and services. It will also ideate, review, conceptualise, plan and develop proposals for new tourism services under various aspects of tourism such as hinterland, culture, nature/eco-beaches, etc and monitor their implementation.
The committee dealing with marketing and public relations will plan a calendar of events, marketing, promotion and media plans for tourism development.
Apart from government officials, each EC comprises private members from tourism-related industrial sectors like the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, the World Travel and Tourism Council, Confederation of Indian Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises.
The Committees have to commence functioning with immediate effect and adequate office and secretarial support will be provided by the department and GTDC.