Team Herald
PANJIM: The coming year may see registrations of all beach festivals, including the mega electronic dance music (EDM) events, done electronically as Tourism Department contemplates linking it with the e-registration system.
The two and half-month old concept, introduced to register and renew tourism trade activities from across the State, will also ensure single window clearances to ease permissions from different authorities.
Speaking to Herald after taking over as the new Director of Tourism, Sanjeev Dessai said a proposal will be sent to the State government for approval.
“The idea is at the planning stage. Once we get a go-ahead to our proposal from the government, online registrations of such events will begin from 2016,” he said.
The single window clearance mechanism will enable applicants to apply and obtain permissions from different agencies in a simplified, timely and rational manner. The system, the officer said, will bring in transparency as it will also accept payments online. Organizers of Sunburn and Supersonic EDMs will be included in the scheme.
In another move, the department is likely to constitute an internal committee to identify venues and reserve slots for hosting beach festivals, an attempt that would avoid a clash of dates and fight over venues.
Dessai said the committee would study the feasibility before placing the suggestions to the State Level Permission Committee (SLPC) for a final decision.
“The committee will shortlist venues and conduct a feasibility study such as availability of transport, accommodation vis-à-vis tourist footfalls, etc. The report will also suggest slots as to which is the best period to host these festivals. The SLPC will then take a final call,” he said. The department is also keen to come up with broader guidelines for holding events in the State. The plan’s execution will depend on a nod from the State government.
The SLPC at a recent meeting had objected to the organizers taking decisions on their own. It had suggested that Goa government take over deciding venues and dates that hitherto lie with the Sunburn and Supersonic organizers.
