CHOGM to BRICS: Cautionary Tales for Goa (Times of India, 22/8/16) From: V M <[email protected]>
Two months to go before Goa hosts the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) summit, ..... The state government led by chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar is busy dealing with garbage and road management, trying to ensure power supply and reliable emergency medical systems. While Goa races to complete basic preparations for the summit like filling in potholes, and sweeping garbage from sight, it's useful to note each of the nations represented recently pulled off a giant global event to significant international acclaim. The world has changed dramatically since 1983, and Goa has gone from taking in just a few hundred tourists to perhaps three million per year. ----------GL responds: To me it looks like Goa should host more major tourist and world events. At least to cater to those events, the Goa and India govt upgrades the basic infrastructure and other facilities that benefits native Goans throughout the year - not to mention creating jobs during the event and the tourism boost. Three million tourists a year spending at least $500.00 dollars each. That is a lot of money into the Goan economy. Of course there will always be half-a-dozen natives who will chronically and permanently weep at the cost of that success; while the bhaile come in and 'make hay while the sun shines'. Regards, GL
