TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: While it aims to reduce dependency on market fluctuations by hosting a string of entertainment shows in an attempt to increase tourist footfalls around the year, the Tourism department also proposes to introduce a transport system and tourist police on international lines.
Tourism Director Ameya Abhyankar discussed introducing a Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) and Tourist Police inspired by Amsterdam and Madrid, respectively during the ‘Goa Investment Summit 2015 – A Prelude’, on Friday.
“We want to do MRT system. There is a tram travelling system in Amsterdam, which has roads comparable to Goa. We also need to create a tourist police force similar to that in Madrid which has policemen speaking languages like German, French, English and a host of other languages,” he said.
The department is also contemplating introducing water taxis, hop-on and hop-off taxis, buses and railways in another move to offer a host of attractions to visitors. Abhyankar added they are pursuing another proposal with the civil aviation ministry to approve limited open skies vis-à-vis Middle East and Singapore.
The department is also planning on creating a Tourism Information Centre on franchise, inducting amphibious vehicles, hot air ballooning and water sports. The department also revealed that they are in the process of drafting a master plan with a vision for the next 25 years and overhauling the three-decade old Tourism Trade Act.
“We want the department as a revenue earning department by raising revenue other than taxation. We want to create a tourism zone in high density tourism destinations,” he said.
In a recent achievement, the government has granted approval to start e-registration for tourism trade and tourist activities. The system will be in force in the next three to four months.
