Dear CM, If this enclosed news is TRUE than let Goans know why it is required with the expenses from Govt exchequer deputing a Tourism Minister for tourism activities that too in Dubai? It appears ridiculous. Please examine this if correct. Thanks
Stephen Dias ======================================================================= Message: 9 Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 00:20:45 +0400 From: Eugene Correia <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Goanet] GOA TOURISM re; MINISTER ALL SET TO THE GULF ON A 13 DAY STATESPONSORED JAUNT I am surprised that the tourism minister is coming to check tourism in Dubai or rather in the UAE. Hasn't Goa taken part in the Arabian Travel Mart? I was once at the press conference called by the Goa delegation, which included a PR agency man, and there were hardly a dozen press people. When I asked the person why the attendance was so low, he admitted that the invite were put in the reception room or given to the organisers. I think the agency (forget the name but it's based in Panaji and I am not sure if it's still in existence) were doing it for the first time. The next day I visited the India booth, where I met an official and I met the director of tourism, perhaps Sandeep Jacques, if I remember correctly. I enquired about the minister Dr. Willy and I was told he was gone for some private work or to meet someone. If the purpose is to borrow plans from Dubai or check the place out, then I must say Goa doesn't look it has the capacity to built like Dubai or Abu Dhabi. For that matter, even smaller emirates are developing their tourism sector. I have seen thousands of Russians who come there, as the hotels and other things are cheaper, just as Russians come to Goa. I also met the late Dr. Proto Barbosa and, if I am correct, he was then tourism minister, in Toronto. I wanted him to visit some tourism places, especially Ontario Place and Harbourfront. But he never did vsist the places, as far as I know. Similarly, other ministers and MLAs have visited Toronto. They could have envisaged something like Ontario Place, on a smaller scale though, and Harbourfront to make Goa attractive. When Dr. Willy was tourism minister and maybe he was also deputy minister I attended a function at the Marmagoa harbour. During the break, I asked him about tourism and he said that he wanted to attract "top-tier" or high-class tourists and was not interested in the "backpack tourists." Mind you, these was years. I was surprised that Goa with lack of infrastructure was trying to attract high-end tourists. In fact, one world class tourism told me that there's nothing in Goa that was special, and he said beaches are all over the Caribbean and South America. I wish the stakeholders in the industry rethink the tourist master plan. But first get the infrastructure updated, or else high-end tourists will shun Goa and what you get now will be coming to Goa for years on. My point is nobody is serious enough, and all the ministers and officials want to do is go on a holiday jaunt on the ticket that they would to learn about tourism abroad. Eugene
