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"We will be providing low rate accommodation for tourists in the form of tents," stated Pramod Shetye, managing director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation
"It (GTDC) has also sought help from schools to make available their classrooms that could be turned into temporary accommodation for low budget tourists"
And Government officials still insist upon the idea that Goa has a strategic plan to explore its (vanisihing) tourism potential? When TENTS are put up and SCHOOLS given away to house "low budget tourists" can we still identify something beneficial to Goans and the development of Goa, the preservation of its ecosystem, curbing unemployment rate etc.?
I think this is hilarious. But perhaps I am looking at it from a wrong perspective? Is this perhaps part of some long-term plan to boost Goa as a global tourism destination?
Constantino
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Goa hopes IFFI will draw more tourists this year
http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=STATES&file_name=state6%2Etxt&counter_img=6
Rupesh Samant/ Panaji
Goa expects four lakh more tourists to visit the State this year. The rise is being attributed to two major events - exposition of St Xavier's relics and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) - lined up for the year end.
This tourist State, which had 20 lakh tourists visiting it last year, is geared up to service this massive surge in tourist numbers. Aware of the pressure on the infrastructure that is likely to build up in November and December, the State Government has decided to put the machinery in place well before time.
"We will be providing low rate accommodation for tourists in the form of tents," stated Pramod Shetye, managing director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). The Corporation has decided to put up tents at Old Goa, site for the exposition situated nine kms from Capital city of Panaji. It has also sought help from schools to make available their classrooms that could be turned into temporary accommodation for low budget tourists.
The State Government has decided to upgrade all its accommodations. "We will offer red carpet welcome to the tourists. We don't differentiate between foreign and domestic tourists," said Tourism Minister Mathany Saldanha. The Minister is optimistic about receiving around 24 lakh tourists this season starting October 16.
This tiny State witnesses a growth of 80 to 85 per cent in domestic tourist inflow while the increase in foreign tourists is pegged at 15 to 20 per cent. Besides visitors from Maharashtra and Karnataka, Goa is becoming a favourite holiday destination for visitors from Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi. Banking on an expected good business, the GTDC has declared a hike in its hotel tariff by 20 per cent between December 20, 2004 to January 3, 2005. "We are increasing our tariff for limited period. We compliment the hike with better service," said Mr Shetye.
For Goa, hopes are pinned on foreign tourist arrivals. The State had 2,60,071 non-chartered foreign tourists in 2001; the number rose to 2,71,645 in 2002 and 3,14,357 in 2003. In 2001, 279 charter flights arrived bringing in 76,410 foreign visitors, the number went up to 384 in 2002 carrying 94,350 tourists to Goa. Last year, 532 charters arrived carrying 1,26,252 tourists to the State.
The tour operators feel providing better infrastructure and entertainment facilities would add to the sustainability of Goa's image. Says Gaurish Dhond, secretary, Travel and Tours Association Goa (TTAG), "Facilities like water sports, better infrastructure are must to ensure enjoyable holidaying for visitors." As Goa has changed its image from a foreign tourist destination to a 365-day holiday spot for domestic tourists as well, the rising numbers has certainly put severe pressure on the State's infrastructure.
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