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AIDS intervention strategies for tourism sector on anvil BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 20 — It's now time for the tourism industry to join the battle against the dreaded HIV/AIDS menace in the State. The Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is in the process of chalking out HIV/AIDS intervention strategies for the tourism and hospitality sector. GSACS in collaboration with the ILO and the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) organised a conference on HIV/AIDS for the stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism industry at Panjim today. According to health secretary Mr U K Vora "there is a crucial connectivity between HIV/AIDS and the tourism industry." Goa which is considered to be a popular tourist destination in the world has nearly 26 lakhs tourists visiting the State every year. It is necessary that the hospitality and tourism industry reach out a helping hand to spread information about HIV/AIDS said Vora while addressing the conference. Vora said "it is prevention that wins half the battle against AIDS". Tourism Minister Dr Wilfred de Souza, said "We need to promote responsible tourism." We need to protect the tourism sector from HIV/AIDS by developing various HIV/AIDS prevention programmes, according to Dr de Souza. We should see that Goa remains a tourist destination without the threat of HIV/AIDS said Dr de Souza. "The responsibility cannot be left to the health ministry alone" opined Afsar Mohd, National Project Director of the ILO. It has to be a multi-sector response said Mohd. This is an extraordinary problem and it needs extraordinary attention according to Mohd. If a prevention programme is started in Goa early it will cost less and it will be effective. As cited by Mohd, there are nearly 12000 people in Goa working in the tourism sector including hotels, shacks, airlines among others. Nearly 2000 people work as pilots, drivers, autorickshaw drivers and so on. The key stakeholders in this industry are the TTAG, hotels, shack owners, Taxi Drivers Association among others. Mohd suggested that a committee should be set up and a policy should be developed for the tourism sector in Goa. Encourage member establishments like hotels and other associations to have HIV/AIDS education for employees in the tourism sector and nominate a nodal person for this purpose said Mohd. While Charles Bonifacio, president of the TTAG said "we have come to know that awareness is the key and we have formed a committee." A list of hotels which could start organising HIV/AIDS prevention programmes has also been prepared, he said. Manorama Bakshi, workplace advisor of the GSACS, Dr J J Dias, Project Director of the GSACS, Roque D'Cruz, principal of the Institute of Hotel Management, Porvorim, Ashraf Ali Nizari, Managing Director of Nizmar Resorts were also present. -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSON ANI BOREM MOG KHOR! Gabe Menezes. London, England
