Goa AIDS body, hotels in pact for awareness Economy & Policy Regional Bureau / Mumbai/ Panaji February 23, 2006
The hospitality industry in Goa, the Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) have joined hands with International Labour Organisation (ILO) to spread awareness about HIV/ AIDS among workers in the hospitality sector. "There is a crucial connection between the spread of AIDS and the tourism industry. It is necessary that the tourism industry reach out and spread awareness about it," said U K Vohra, health secretary of the state. He said the state is recognised as a prime tourist destination worldwide and there is an urgent need to educate people in the hospitality sector. Goa receives over 25 lakh tourists, both domestic and international, every year. Besides, there are more than 18,000 small and big hotel establishments across the state. Over 15,000 people are working in the hospitality industry in the state, who are vulnerable to the dreaded disease, according to HIV/ AIDS expert Afsar Mohd, national project director of ILO. "This is an extraordinary problem and it needs extraordinary attention," he added. Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred de Souza said there is a need to promote responsible tourism. "We need to protect the industry from this disease through various HIV/ AIDS prevention programmes. We should also see that Goa remains a tourist destination without the threat of HIV/ AIDS," said de Souza, who is also the tourism minister. According to Charles Bonifacio, president of Travel and Tourism Association, all hotels should start organising HIV/ AIDS prevention programmes to educate their staff members. ~(^^)~ Avelino
