Herald: How do you access tourism in Goa post the DefExpo?
Nilesh Cabral: I think we need to access the critics and the criticism before the Defexpo and their complete disappearance and silence post the DefExpo. The Raksha Mantri and the Goa government showed India how well we organize events of any scale. The critics should now speak.
Herald: What does the DefExpo mean to Goa or to tourism stakeholders?
Cabral: As of now, not much except that Goa did a great job at hosting such an event and the tourism industry and its allied activities in the sense the taxi operators, the four and five star hotels and restaurants did a great job at hospitality and definitely benefited from the DefExpo, hence occupancy was full that week. It’s now time to open up that land to world class convention center and invite bigger and better events at that Betul venue.
Herald: What about locals opposing development on that land?
Cabral: In my opinion, since the locals don’t want any industry there, Betul can attract motor shows, auto expos, the bike week, even fashion related events and medical expos and conferences. But all this needs infrastructure and facility. And once that is in place, locals, will come by and setup shop and allied businesses which will find support from the numbers.
Herald: You mean through Betul, the state of Goa can attract events of out Mumbai and Delhi?
Cabral: Betul can match Delhi’s Pragati Maidan or Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex any day. But the convention centers on that land should be owned and setup by the Goa government through the IDC or GTDC or tourism department and the land should not be handed over to the central government. That will be South Goa’s biggest boost to tourism.
Herald: But the land seems to be in the process of being given to the Defence Ministry?
Cabral: Not really. The land could be the permanent venue of the DefExpo. But that area is apt for a convention center and exhibition stalls of permanent nature. That was cost of setting up air conditioned tents and all will not arise and Goa will benefit from the booking fees.
