PANJIM: Different tourism stakeholders have come together to form an umbrella association to defend the causes of the pioneer tourism stakeholders of Goa. The All Goa Tourism Stakeholders Association (AGTSA) has objected to the policies of the Tourism Department and privatisation and corporatisation of the traditional Goan businesses.
The Association includes representatives of taxi operators, water sports, fishermen, rent-a- car, rent-a-bike owners and private and government shack owners. The association has taken up issue of water sports and small and medium hoteliers associations.
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Representatives of water sports business said that because of the tug of war and unclear delegation of duties between the Captain of Ports and the Department of Tourism, the businesses across are affected. The representatives have completely denied giving Goa Electronics Limited (GEL) to host their business. The stakeholders said that the government has reconstituted the Goa Tourism Board (GTB) but there is no tourism stakeholder on board.
Francisco Fernandes alias Pele of Benaulim said, “The fishermen won’t give their business into the hands of GEL. We are ready to have queue system but we don’t need GEL.”
All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society president Cruz Cardozo said, “Even after several decades of following the rules, licences are being given on provisional basis.”
Santosh Panandikar from the Association of Small Hoteliers said the Government hasn’t taken the stakeholders into confidence while taking decisions and levying charges fees to the small hoteliers.
All Goa Bar and Restaurant Owners Association president Michael Carrasco said, “We have noticed that our voices are not heard effectively.”
President of the newly formed Association John Lobo said, “The government has brought in GEL now and in no time some corporate will take over the businesses in Goa,” he warned.
