Goa Tourism invites suggestions and views from general public on interim Tourism Master Plan Document

Panjim, August 26: Goa Tourism’s Master Plan and Tourism Policy which is being formulated as a Vision Document for improving tourism in the State of Goa has entered a participative stage with the Department of Tourism seeking views and suggestions from the general public on the interim plan submitted to the government.

The Department of Tourism, has called upon the general public, travel & tourism trade, industry associations, NGOs, policy advocacy groups and all interested stakeholders to contribute in views and suggestions to the proposed Goa Tourism Master Plan and Tourism Policy.

The Goa Tourism Master Plan and Tourism Policy is being prepared with the objective to provide direction and guidance for sustainable development of tourism in Goa over the short term ( 5 years), medium term (15 years) and long-term (25 years).

While the process has already reached out to stakeholders at various stages during the development of the plan, the Department of Tourism has furthered the process by seeking views and suggestions on the interim submission of the Tourism Master Plan document.

The document in three modules have been uploaded on the Department of Tourism website
http://www.goatourism.gov.in/images/goa_tmp_module3.pdf.

Views and suggestions are being sought on what infrastructure and service sector investments are required to provide tourism products and activities for identified tourists.

Other aspects that the department seeks views include which tourism product mix should be employed in the tourism sector and how should the government ensure that tourism growth creates jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities for Goans.

Views are being sought on how balance needs to be brought in between the need for economic and entrepreneurial development for Goans with the social and environmental impact of tourism growth in Goa.

It also seeks suggestions on the proposal of showcasing the key Unique Selling Propositions (USPs) of Goa as a tourism destination and what are the opportunities that can be taken in order to enhance this potential.

Suggestions and views have been sought on what are the areas of weakness and what remedies must be used in order to overcome them. It also seeks to know what are the factors limiting Goa’s competitiveness as a tourist destination, and which policy, regulatory and institutional interventions are required in order to ease investment and operating tourism business in Goa.

The Department of Tourism has appealed to the general public and all stakeholders to write in with their views and suggestions to goatourismmasterplan@gmail.com within seven days and within 500 words.

The Department of Tourism, in a statement issued today points out that stakeholders’ involvement in the preparation of the Master Plan and Policy by way of suggestions and views on the interim document will go a long way in finalizing its goals on various elements pertaining to tourist footfalls, duration of stay, expenditure per tourist, contribution to Goa’s economy, job creation and entrepreneurship opportunities for Goans, and increasing environmentally sustainable tourism.

The Tourism Master Plan will suggest changes to each element of the tourist value chain. This includes direct tourist products/activities namely hotels, events, car rental etc. and indirect tourist products/activities such as food suppliers, furniture, handicraft suppliers etc. The tourist value chain is critically dependent on infrastructure enablers such as water, power, waste, communication, health and safety.

The tourism product/activities will be planned at a taluka level and an anchor product and multiple similarly themed products/activities will be conceptualized. Special emphasis will be placed on cultural, heritage, eco-tourism, hinterland, wellness, MICE, wedding and adventure tourism.

A Tourism policy and institutional framework will also be developed accordingly.

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