--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2008 International Goan Convention Toronto, Canada
Early Bird Discount Registration closes March 31, 2008 http://www.2008goanconvention.com/regform_print.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. <Goa's tourism industry - earning the state approximately10,000 crores in foreign exchange per annum -- has been at the heartof the modern-day mythification of the state as some form of a sexualparadise. It is estimated that around 25 lakh tourists come to Goaeach year, a vast majority of them local tourists, eager to explorethe "idea" of being in a "free" state, free from the restrictions ofmiddle class attitudes. Only a fifth of the tourists who visit thestate each year are foreigners, most of them looking for a cheapholiday.> Tourism as a 'foreign exchange' spinner to the tune of Rs 10K crores per year. That means it is generated by (not 2.5 million people) but only 500K. May be on the high side. It might bump up against figures for FX from tourism for the country as a whole. Rs 10K crores for 2.5 million tourists may also be high. Rs3K-4K crores may be OK. 2.< the real threat to Goa's cultural identity does not lie inthe lifestyle of the tourist, confined as they are to a small stretchof the state. In fact, in a state with limited employmentopportunities, Goa needs to attract more, not less tourists.> See discussion under 4 below. 3<It isn't the influx of tourists whichshould trouble Goans as much as the growing influence of the buildersand construction agents who appear determined to destroy the state'senvironmental treasure in violation of all existing laws. While Goa'spoliticians go into cataclysms over the Scarlett case, how many ofthem have bothered to raise their voice against the virtual auction ofthe state to land sharks?> Here we need to understand the value chain on which tourism occurs. You have the weekenders and charter tourists at one end. Then you have the holiday home wallahs. Above that the retirees and eventually the economic settlers. The land requirements (direct and indirect) increase as one moves up the continuum. And btw, how come the "mining" industry which has been degrading the environment here for decades gone unnoticed? 4.<The real challenge for Goans is whether they can preserve theuniqueness of their land by ensuring that it doesn't become anotherconcrete jungle. Environment may not make sensational headlines like amurder can, but in the long run, preventing environmental degradationcan alone secure Goa's future.> This is where governance enters the picture. Governance with a capital G, not pretend governance of driving in red beacon cars and cutting ribbons, making underhand money etc. If Governance is up to the mark then Goa's attraction as a tourist destination will only go up. Hopefully its (more broad based) economic attraction will also increase, leading to more population inflows and placing a premium on more efficient urban planning and environmental (including heritage) conservation etc. The challenge will be for Goa's leaders to think and act global -- not in laughable village-centric ways.