PANJIM: Tourism Department has attracted criticism on not taking stakeholders into confidence at the draft stage of the tourism master plan that is being worked upon by KPMG Advisory Services and Tourism & Leisure Advisory Services Sl (T&L). The government has also been questioned on ‘the kind of tourism’ in the State in absence of a Tourism Policy.
At a panel discussion on Tourism Policy In Goa at Dona Paula on Saturday, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) chairman Nilesh Cabral said the agencies drafting the plan have included what is already existing in Goa.
“The draft master plan mentions all what already exists in the State in terms of tourism. Nothing new will be included without consulting stakeholders. This is the reason the draft plan will be open for public suggestions and objections once complete,” Cabral said responding to a question by Advocate Albertina Almeida alleging that people were kept away at the plan’s draft stage.
Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai, who was also on the discussion panel, alleged that frivolous statements by ministers and MLAs are tarnishing Goa’s image. “The USP of Goa has been that we are tolerant and hospitable but statements like seeking a ban on bikinis and introducing dress code for carnival is showing Goa in bad light in other parts of the country and world. It is instigating intolerance,” he said blaming the absence of a Tourism Policy for the mess in the industry.
In 2014, PWD Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar had sought a ban on bikinis, while his party MLA Lavoo Mamledar had stated that ‘bikinis’ were against Indian culture. BJP MLA Michael Lobo had sought a proper dress code at par with international standards for men on the beaches.
Just a few days ago, a section of the media had reported that the government will ask the carnival committees to ensure that no obscenity is permitted at the carnival celebration this year.
“We have only Shacks Policy but no Tourism Policy yet. The government should take into confidence all stakeholders, including general public before finalising the policy,” Sardesai commented.
Installation artist Subodh Kerkar also took a dig at the government for failing to have a Tourism Policy. He went on to state that he was ‘ashamed’ of the type of art displayed at Dabolim airport. “It is a third grade art,” he mentioned.
In 2014, the State had appointed the consortium to prepare a 25-year tourism master plan.
