**************************************************************** Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ***************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Govt planning to set up golf course to lure more tourists ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In order to give boost to tourism and attract high spending tourists, the state government is planning to set up a golf-course along with other top class facilities and three sites, two in North Goa and one in South Goa, have been identified for establishing such facilities.
The director of tourism, Mr N Suryanarayana, informed The Navhind Times that government has identified a piece of land near Oil and Natural Gas Commission near Betul, a piece of land at Morjim in Pernem taluka and an island near Divar in Tiswadi taluka and that Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation has been asked to prepare a feasibility report before a final decision on establishing the facility is taken. He said that these proposals have been envisaged for providing more avenues for tourists visiting the state with a view to retain the tourists for a longer period of 5-7 days for domestic and 10-15 days for foreign tourists. He said that facilities available in the state are not adequate to retain tourists beyond a couple of days. Mr Suryanarayana said that projects, such as golf course, theme park and amusement park, would be set up by private sector, and a number of firms have shown interest in them. He said that government would only be a facilitator in establishing such projects. He, further said government's role would be limited only to providing land, after acquisition for which the firms concerned would have to make payment. The director of tourism further stated that establishing golf course only would not be a viable proposition and that other facilities such as a resort, theme park, amusement park and a convention centre would have to be built, to make the project economically viable. Besides, these facilities have to be unique selling proposition. He said that if any private party wanted to set up such facility without any government help, such as land, the government would help such parties by giving them no-objection certificates and other permissions needed for such a project. The director of tourism further said that private firms bidding for setting up golf course would have to make provision from their own sources for water and power, by harvesting rain water and setting up captive power plant respectively. He also said that the government would not permit any pressure on public utilities such as water, power and roads. Besides, no exploitation of the caddies would be allowed, he said. He, however, said that establishing of a golf course in North Goa was ideal as plenty of land which is required for setting up such projects was available in this district, unlike in South Goa district where getting land of the kind required for setting up golf course is a problem. Construction of the new international airport at Mopa along with the establishing of IT resort at Morjim would also help in setting up of a golf course in North Goa and its utilisation. He however, said that most of top class hotels, used by high spending tourists, were located in South Goa and transportation of those choosing to use golf course would be a problem. He also said that it was with this view the sky bus project was envisaged, which would help in faster transportation of tourists and would act as a "catalyst" for attracting tourists. He, said that government would go ahead with its proposal for a rope way between Altinho to Verem and Reis Magos. Meanwhile, Mr Jitendra Deshprabhu, whose family had proposed setting up a golf course along with residential facility in a resort like environment some time back, has said that the project still stood and that it has been approved by the environment and forest ministry of Union government and departments of local government. He further said that the project consists of equestrian park, water amusement park, commercial precinct, beach club and marina facility and would cost around Rs 500 crore. He, however, said that in view of the global recession, the money required for such a project was not readily available. Mr Deshprabhu, who is the Pernem legislator, said that his family would go ahead with the project once international trade, commerce and tourism got a fillip, in collaboration with the internationally renowned chains in hotel and resort management. He said that project report of the proposed facility by his family has been prepared by Helbert, Hastert and Young (world renowned master planners) and architectural designs have been prepared by Wembley, Allison, Tong and Goo (WATG). He also said that golf course design has been prepared by Gary Player Design Company. All these firms were behind development of Sun City, in Johannesburg, South Africa -------------------------------------------------- THE NAVHIND TIMES 18/7/02 page 1 -------------------------------------------------- ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy ======================================= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? 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