NT Reporter
Panaji
To give a push to tourism in the state and flourish the sector following issues raised by stakeholders of hurdles encountered in conducting businesses in the coastal belt, the state government has decided to amend laws and tweak rules during the upcoming assembly session so as to provide ease of doing business.
This was announced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday at Mantralaya in Porvorim after chairing a joint meeting with stakeholders, tourism department officials, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and other line departments.
Issues raised by the stakeholders at the meet involved difficulties faced by them in obtaining and renewing trade licences at the local body level in the coastal belt and the menace of hawkers and touts.
Tourism stakeholders present at the meeting included representatives of Goa Shack Owners Association, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, All India Restaurant Owners Association and representatives of starred hotels.
Addressing media after the meeting, the Chief Minister said the government has decided to grant three-year permission to tourism businesses from the Goa State Pollution Control Board and the departments of electricity and drinking water.
Sawant said he has also directed the departments concerned to resolve the issues raised by the stakeholders by streamlining the processes involved. He said that a discussion was held on the introduction of green highway concept in Goa as a part of the broader sustainability goals.
Sawant said the government is committed to make the state one of the cleanest and most tourist-friendly destinations globally.
The Chief Minister said deliberations were also held on enhancing ease of doing business in the tourism sector, simplification of licensing norms, employment generation for Goans in tourism and hospitality, effective waste management, beach cleanliness and road upkeep, tourism s afety and regulation of beach and water sports activities, subsidies and infrastructure support for hotels, staff housing and apprenticeships, tax and excise rationalisation for the hospitality sector, promoting Goa as a sports and events hub and urging corporate human resources departments to prioritise local employment.
Issues like global connectivity and visa-on-arrival will be resolved with the help of Union Civil Aviation Ministry, Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office, Sawant said.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, chairman of GTDC Ganesh Gaonkar, Chief Secretary Dr V Candavelou, IAS, Director General of Police Alok Kumar and senior officials from the directorate of panchayats, directorate of municipal administration and transport department were present at the meeting.
Khaunte said that though some people are trying to spread misleading messages about Goa tourism through social media, there are some positive aspects that help to increase the tourist footfall in the state. “If we need to promote Goa as a preferred destination, we should be one step ahead. We need cooperation from the tourism industry to flourish Goa tourism,” he said.
