-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | | | | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | | | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Ministers denting Goa's tourism plans'
Panaji BY PERCY FERRAO LONDON, NOV 23 The 26th annual World Travel Market at Excel in London from November 14 to November 17, is regarded as one of the most successful business exhibitions worldwide, which brings together buyers and sellers from throughout the UK and across the world. It is a massive travel and tourism event with a vast array of conferences, seminars, workshops and presentations that appeal to its diverse audience. The Goan pavilion was the attraction at the Travel Mart, inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Dr Wilfred de Souza in the presence of the Union Tourism Minister Renuka Chowdury and the Dy Director of Tourism, Goa Pamela Mascarenhas. Speaking to Herald at the World Trade Mart, Dr Willy justified Goa as a popular resort as if it is a brand name in tourist circles. "We're keen on promoting Goa even more. In the 60's and 70's, it was mainly the back packers, but now the numbers have increased as we are even getting the middle class and wealthy with over seven Chartered flights flying in directly into Goa," said Dr Willy. "Reputed Airlines such as Emirates, Gulf Air, Condor have also applied for direct flights into Goa and I'm chasing the Civil Ministry to grant them their licences," he added. Dr Willy admitted that political interference has dented plans to set up the necessary infrastructure to retain Goa's reputation as a popular tourism resort. "We will have to do a lot, now that we have begun improving the infrastructure, we'll continue doing so. Political hindrance is also there, like we wanted land acquired for garbage dumping, but ministers like Digamber Kamat and Joaquim Alemao have been resisting (these plans)," said Dr Willy. Dr Willy also said that construction of entertainment parks, new golf courses, oceanariums and passage of direct flights into Goa to encourage upmarket tourism were the new schemes and packages that Goa touted during the WTM. http://www.goanet.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=8