HEART TO HEART (SEPT 4)
BY ETHEL DA COSTA
The Tourism Gospel According to Dr Willy?
Dear Dotor,
Goody! Now that we've broken ice at our recent World Goa Day celebrations at Assagao and you've proved to me that you're a jolly good sport as well -- despite our not so long ago acid spewing print match, a spade is a spade always, mate - I'm going to hold you good to your words, so let's get down to 'Project Goa.' Though I honestly and vociferously endorse and maintain that ministers above 55 should not be elected to run for office, because by then ego supercedes common sense (it looks like we're to suffer the chair though), as Tourism Minister, its time to ask you for a blueprint. Or, was
that a bad word I just uttered? A tourism master plan for Goa to give the tourism industry a sense of professionalism, which will then determine her future in the next three years (because by then I'm sure you and the government will come crashing around our toes once again). So, what
lofty ideas keep you burning the midnight oil in the service of Goa?
I think we're still playing the fool though. Pardon the _expression. The River Princess just won't budge because your hands are tied up, threatening to sink your political career into a murky oil bath, if you dare shuffle a toe. Of course, you care not the fate of Sinquerim or Calangute, because doctors will thrive around the belt flushed with patients poisoned by corroded metal. And, as with every doctor I know, they simply love a disaster.
The sound ban is still playing favourites, making your press statements to turn Goa into a 20 hour dance party show ring hollow. The drug sharks are sharpening their teeth with new psychotropic drugs and the Russian mafia has settled down planning their new hit-lists. Mumbai's bar girls are package selling sex, sleaze and sunshine to pot-bellied Gujaratis in up market hotels. While actor Sunil Shetty (we dined at the fabulous 'Salt Water Grill' at Marine Drive,
Mumbai recently) strongly believes that Goa can take on the world (and this with an amount of sadness) if only the Goa
Government got its act seriously together and helped interested businessmen set shop with high capital investment and incentive to attract high-spending up-market tourists. 'We love Goa. It rocks, man. But your politics stinks,' Shetty seals.
All this, while Goa is on the verge of yet another busy season and
politicians are foraging in their backyards with the same tried-and-tested formulas. The young 'uns are growing tired, because we're bustling with energy and drive wanting to contribute, without wanting to suck up to politicians to get to our goals. Not so long ago, Rane promised me commitment in helping put together a group of cultural ambassadors to plan year long events for Goa, backed by the government. I'm holding him for his word too. However, we do insist that politicians be given a crash course in cut-throat marketing management techniques
to get them going on re-inventing `Brand Goa' with a young spirit. Goa needs a hard sell. And Goa needs it quick.
A Delhi based editor of a hospitality magazine asked me how: By
re-positioning and re-launching the State as a lifestyle destination, like Monaco, Monte Carlo, Cannes. Of course, we can do it. We have everything going for us - history, a cross cultural European breeding, tropical weather, beautiful backwaters, abundant wildlife, and cuisine that can rival the best in Asia. Monsoon tourism, water sports, multi-cultural festivals, international music and film events, adventure tourism can be re-packaged and presented to the jet-set traveler with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure that will slowly, but surely, change the profile of Goa. You can't deny that Goa is also being looked upon as the
residential destination of the rich and the famous, but what are we doing to make sure they stay and add to the economy?
Why don't you encourage
hotels to invest in developing state-of-the-art recreational facilities for the up-market, adventure seeking traveler, who expects and pays for international quality service. Enough of the grave-diggers and plumbers, you know. Lure the high-fliers and create a niche audience. Back the tourism industry with political will, bring in a blend of street smart professionals and intellectual think-tank to conceptualise top quality entertainment campaigns to get travelers making a beeline for Goa.
Let's see some young faces in your team, dotor. Let's see new blood running in your old veins. Let's see 'out of the box' ideas. Let the mando co-exist with hip hop. Move with the times. Be cool. Shake a leg. If nothing else works, turn the River Princess into a floating disco. At least, they will say you dared to do something different in a no-good situation.
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