Headline: 'Goa Is Certainly More Than Sun And Sand'
Source: Express Travel & Tourism, Dec.2004 at http://www.expresstravelandtourism.com/200412/goafocus01.shtml
Excerpt:
The minister for tourism in the Goa government, Matanhy Saldanha is a pragmatic thinker and believes in taking action. He has already taken several steps to professionalise tourism in Goa. Talking to Express Travel & Tourism, he sketches a guideline of his action plan
Q: What have been your priorities as tourism minister of Goa?
A: The first priority has been to improve the infrastructure. In every sense, this needs to be done, although things are much better than before. Good roads, clean public places, regular and quality of water and power supply, these are what we have to strive for. These are essential facilities that can hold a tourist to a destination. We will work as much as we can in these areas. We cannot go on attracting tourists without providing the basic facilities.
Q: Are you in favour of the second airport in Goa?
A: We don't really need to support another airport. Goa is a small place. If we need a second airport, we need to make it viable and sustainable, by adding more flights at least 80 flights. The Sea Bird project is ready so the navy could shift thereby providing us full use of the present airport. The Dabolim airport was always civilian property. Look at the old gazettes. So, why waste money on a new airport. We can use the money to help the Navy shift their station from Goa. Its purpose can well be served by the Sea Bird project. The present airport is enough. We can have a long-term vision, which can be fulfilled by shifting the naval station; a new airport is not my priority. Also, having another airport so close to the existing one is not proper.
Q: There has always been talk that Goa attracts low spending tourism. What is being done to change that perception?
A: Tourism in Goa has evolved over the decades. For me, all tourists are important, and I would not like to differentiate between a high-spending one and the others. The quality of services and facilities that we offer will attract tourists to Goa, whether high or low spending. High spending tourists need not necessarily boost the economic conditions of the local people. They may benefit a very small section of the population. No doubt we want high -end tourists, but, other tourists are also important.
Full text at http://www.expresstravelandtourism.com/200412/goafocus01.shtml
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Mathany Saldanha undertook to consider resigning if the River Princess was not moved by the end of Jan 2005.
Elvis Gomes is the new Director of Tourism whist remaing Captain of Ports (clash of interests?).
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