PANJIM: Conceding that the State’s reputation was hit by expensive accommodation, food and travel during the DefExpo, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has proposed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with tourism stakeholders to ensure people are not subjected to such a situation while also ensuring that the latter earns a good income.
“I came across instances wherein hotels had started to overcharge. If the DefExpo is held in Goa in the future, we will sign MoU with the stakeholders to guarantee that people are not overcharged and the business lobby also generates income,” he said after inaugurating the renovated GTDC-run Panjim Residency on Saturday.
The Union minister admitted that he too feels the heat of overpricing. Locals as well tourists had complained of expensive travel, food, drinks and hotel stay during the DefExpo.
Parrikar asserted that Goa still tops the tourism chart and not only such events, but law and order, and Goan hospitability will help Goa prosper as an international tourist destination in the upper end tourism category.
“When Sushma Swaraj (foreign minister) was looking out for a state to host eighth annual Summit of BRICS in October, I suggested Goa,” he added.
The former Chief Minister also expressed confidence that tourist arrivals will cross the six million mark this year. “The figure last year was around 5.5 milion tourists. Before the present tenure ends, we will record beyond 6 million arrivals,” he said.
Panjim Residency was formally inaugurated on Sunday. The ground plus six storey building was renovated at the cost of Rs 12 crore.
As the building and its amenities had out-lived its age, GTDC had proposed to improve and upgrade the structure and facilities in a bid to modernize it. GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral said the corporation intends to renovate the other residencies in the State too.
