Team Herald
PANJIM: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has decided to focus on non-conventional verticals like hinterland and backwater tourism, for the growth of tourism industry which was largely impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“Goa’s tourism sector needs to be revived as the pandemic has left a bad impact. The government will focus on development of non-conventional verticals, like hinterland and backwater tourism, for the growth of this industry,” he said.
Khaunte said Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has tabled a budget which has levied no extra taxes on citizens and in this scenario, the department like tourism plays a major role in collecting revenue.
Khaunte said the department will have to create a roadmap for tourism for the future with thrust on hinterland and backwater tourism activities.
The clear stress would be on “quality tourism” and not “quantity tourism”, Khaunte said this sector was severely impacted due to COVID-19, which needs to be revived now.
“This industry needs reforms, which can be done after amending the Tourism Act,” he said.
According to him, the State government will work in coordination with the Centre to develop the tourism sector.
“We will sit with the Chief Minister and mark the priorities,” Khaunte added.
