PANJIM: The newly constituted Goa Tourism Board (GTB) under Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has laid its focus on exploring new avenues for tourism promotion in the State.
The first meeting of the Board held on Thursday also resolved to reduce bottlenecks in implementation of all tourism projects in the State.
Addressing the media persons post meeting, Sawant said that all the important decisions pertaining to the Goa Tourism, henceforth will be taken by the Board, in consultation with all the stakeholders.
Sawant said that the Board aims to promote sustainable tourism, with further boost to heritage and culture of Goa.
He said that the Board will also explore new avenues for tourism.
“The Board will work on reducing bottlenecks in implementation of the projects,” he said.
Sawant said that all the permissions pertaining to Goa as tourism destination will be granted through the Board.
A 19-member Board was constituted earlier this month, thus paving the way for implementing the tourism master plan and policy.
Tourism Minister is the Co-Chairman of the Board. Representatives from the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the World Travel and Tourism Council India Initiative (WTTCII), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), environmental experts among others are also a part of the Board.
With Board coming into force, the three committees — State Level Promotion and Marketing Committee, High Powered Monitoring Committee and State Level Permission Committee, stood dissolved. Instead of these committees, new empowered committees will be constituted for effective functioning of tourism activities.
A committee under Secretary (Tourism) Ashok Kumar J was also formed to select the four subject experts, to be nominated as members of the Goa Tourism Board.
The Board also decided to appoint the Centre for Law and Entrepreneurship and Action Research (CLEAR) of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), University of Law, Hyderabad for legislative drafting and related policy assistance/advisory.
The meeting also deliberated on the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Board for its effective functioning.
The Board also decided to appoint a public relation and a marketing agency for providing support to Goa Tourism and approved a budget for the next financial year 2022-23.
