Staff Reporter
Bicholim
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that rural tourism is gaining more traction among national and international tourists compared to seashore tourism, as it offers mental peace, satisfaction, and a natural environment and encourage youth to take the initiative to develop tourism centres on their ancestral lands.
He was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Kustera’ rural tourism centre and farmhouse at Usap–Latambarsem.
“Youth should take the initiative to develop tourism centres on their ancestral lands in rural areas. This will not only boost tourism but also create employment opportunities in villages. They should come forward to avail of government schemes and facilities,” the Chief Minister said.
Sawant also said that the slogan ‘Clean Goa, Beautiful Goa’ must be turned into reality for the state to move towards ‘Swayampurna Goa’. He urged village panchayats and residents to cooperate with the government in achieving this goal.
He also said that the government is considering introducing non-polluting food industries in the state’s industrial estates to create more job opportunities for Goan youth. Bicholim MLA Chandrakant Shetye said that there are already several rural tourism centres and farms in the Bicholim constituency. “If more youths come forward, villages will see a rise in tourism centres that will attract more tourists,” he said.
