If one
remembers the Goa of yesteryears. The hotels and beaches were full to capacity. The yearly
festival of Goa was celebrated with a gusto and the crowd it attracted, was national &
international. With a steady influx of tourists and a healthy foreign exchange what has
led to its deterioration.
Political
instability, bureaucratic meddling and lack of funds(?) are the reasons quoted for this
predicament.
On the
other hand Ashok Nath, Chief Secretary, Goa defends the situation and confidently says
that proper measures are being taken to boost tourism and also lure investors to restore
Goa to its old self again.
Goa’s
neighbouring state Kerala is proving to be a major competitor with better tourism boost
and tourism infrastructure.
Positive
steps should be taken if atall Goa is to stand up again on its feet. Projects proposed
earlier to boost tourism never took off. For reasons best known to the GDTC or the state
Government. To boost tourism. Better infrastructure and transport
implementation.
A
foundation for Paryatan Bhavan was laid outside Panaji by the Goa Govt. The cost of
construction for this tourists centre is estimated as Rs. 600 cr. and will house
information counters for tourism and handicraft centres for 15 states.
A golf
course, casinos, cruise railway and more attention to land tourism than beach tourism.
Though the tourism department officials sound confident in visualising a brighter future
for Goa then it should make positive approach towards the promotion of cultural tourism
and boosting the local festival of SHIGMO to attract more festive
mob.
