PANJIM: Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar on Wednesday said that the long pending State Tourism Policy, which speaks about ways and means to review the industry, will be finalised by this year end.
The State government had, in November last year, made public, the draft tourism policy and master plan prepared by KPMG Advisory Services and Tourism and Leisure Advisory Service for comments and suggestions.
The draft was strongly criticised by the stakeholders claiming that the policy offers all benefits only to larger players as a consequence of which the local small tourism business would be affected.
Speaking to media persons, Ajgaonkar said that department is in process of evaluating the comments, suggestions and objections received from public, stakeholders and even MLAs to the draft policy.
“A final document taking everyone’s viewpoints would be ready by this year end,” said the minister.
Setting up of marinas, golf course, international class gaming cluster to relocate off shore casinos are some of the projects proposed in the draft policy.
The policy, designed by a private consultant, also stressed for the redevelopment of Tourism Department’s assets through “vibrant private sector”.
“Assets such as hotels, buildings, land and immovable assets and so on shall be redeveloped through private sector participation under long-term lease or licencing arrangements, for development or operation and management,” the draft stated.
