Director of Tourism, Swapnil Naik has categorically stated that the River Princess will be removed before May 2011. Swapnil said that Goa needs to move from beach tourism to hinterland tourism.
When asked whether there are any chances of the boat to be removed or will it lie there as is, Swapnil said that the final decision will be taken during a meeting due to be scheduled today and would know the outcome there. According to Swapnil, as per the tenders it would be removed off by May 2011 i.e. by the coming season. He said that the tourism was getting concentrated over a small belt towards the coast and it is also getting concentrated in a shorter season. That is the reason they are feeling that the infrastructure is lacking. If the same number of tourists 25 lakhs or more also are spread out over the world, the whole year and the whole area of Goa, then the situation can improve much.
On tourism policy, Swapnil said “the tourism policy has been there since 2001 onwards and only for the last two to three years it has been implemented” He added that there has to be a shift in tourism, from beach tourism to hinterland tourism and that would be better way of putting it because infrastructure cannot be created in a small concentrated area in a small time. The infrastructure created in a small concentrated area will be short.
So there are ideas and plans in the tourism department, according to Swapnil Naik to get the tourists into various villages and places other than beaches. Is this type of Tourism good for our Goa, its villages and unspoiled places? GOANS should decide on this.
3 comments:
10 Years have already passed. By May 2011 means another year with makes it to 11 years. Then if the ministers do not receive their hafta then new tender will be out.
Tourism is a profitable business and to woo these tourists to Goa we need to maintain good hygiene around these locations. Tourists prefer going on short vacations and enjoying with their families or friends at safe destinations. . Good inccentives and variety of touristic services should be offered. Crime is in the prime in Goa at the moment with police and the justice system are all in a shamble. Lot of work needs done before we see Swapnil Naik's hamlet evaded by the tourists.
Good quality tourists don't want to visit Goa any more. Goa's name has been spoilt due to various reasons. Worse, there is no infrastructure, cost of living is very high and the tourists are fleeced by everyone. On the tourism hinterland tourism note, a politician's son is looking for a huge tract of land in the hinterland. He wants to build cottages there for tourists and serve authentic Goan food. Probably, sardines won't be on the menu as he won't we able to fish them in the forest as easily as he could in Arabian sea off the coast of Salcette. Maybe, Swapnil Naik has instructions from the politician who is in Delhi to help his son in his dream venture.
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