Herald: Of late we have seen a drop in tourist arrivals, also those who come don’t stay for long. Apart from beaches, what other infrastructure do we have to keep tourists for more than two days in Goa?
Dilip Parulekar: We have a lot of things apart from beaches like hot air balloons, white water rafting in Mhadei, hinterland tourism. Besides, we are also starting helicopter rides and sea planes. But frankly speaking, there is not much we can do as every time we do something, there is opposition. Seaplanes are there worldwide but here it is opposed. Hence, we have to think four times before planning anything so that locals are not hurt.
Herald: Don’t you think we lack even the basic infrastructure like toilets etc?
Parulekar: No, we have since 2012 seen to it that basic infrastructure like toilets, lockers etc are provided. For instance, we have constructed toilets cum changing rooms at Calangute and Baga. At Candolim, the work is underway. Toilets at Miramar are built. Similarly, in South Goa we made a circuit of Colva, Benaulim, Majorda, for illumination, toilets etc but someone went to court saying it will create problems for the environment.
Herald: Then why have the arrivals dropped?
Parulekar: That is a phenomenon worldwide, but frankly speaking we have done a lot to get more tourists and you can see from our efforts that during my tenure in four years we have received about 36 awards. I don’t think that has happened ever. Awards like Best Leisure Destination, Best Wedding destination, best honeymoon destination, best Asian tourist destination have been awarded to the state.
Herald: You said that the government has made all efforts but the garbage, beggars, cattle, stray dogs is driving the tourists away?
Parulekar: For this, the Tourism Department is working 24×7. About beggars, what can I say if they are in Goa they are also in London or America, they are everywhere. We are trying to control this and have deployed IRB personnel to see that these people don’t trouble tourists. We started beach cleaning in 2014 and from then, beaches are clean. Our work is from water to 100 meters which is a government area and for that we have issued a tender. But the private shacks are littering the beaches and for that panchayats and local police are responsible. We have also started a WhatasApp service where if anyone finds the beach being littered by anyone, they can send a photo on that number and within hours, we clear the place and send the photograph back to that person. Under this we have received several complaints and we have worked on it.
Herald: Drugs and Prostitution still continue to tarnish Goa’s image worldwide. Your say?
Parulekar: This was on earlier and will continue. But everyone will agree since the BJP government came to power, this has been under control. I must say drugs should be handled by the home department and not by tourism. Also, the stakeholders and locals needs to be active and complain. On prostitution, I say that it will never end but can be limited. Similarly, drugs are done secretly so we do not know where it is sourced from although our police are doing a good job.
Herald: What steps is the government taking to curb rave parties which is a den for drugs and prostitution?
Parulekar: See, we can act only if we have information. There should be vigil and locals must complain. Also the police should be held responsible. It is the responsibility of the police department to see that such things do not happen.
Herald: Lastly, you see harassment of tourists by traffic police at many junctions. What effect would it have on tourism?
Parulekar: I agree! I have taken this up with the police many times. I think police need to stop extortion. The tourists must not take negativity from this. I have raised this issue with higher ups in the police department and they have been working on it.
