We're going off track. Knowing both Dave and Minguel, one feels their
contribution to their respective fields is unquestionable. We need not
turn this into a debate of who has done more for Goa. Dave has contributed
in a great way to the SFX Girls High School in Mapusa. Miguel has been a
livewire in non-profit initiatives since his President's Scouts days in
the 'seventies, in rejuvenating the Botanical Society of Goa (want to
join its free mailing list?), and a long list of other initiatives.
But this is not the point. The issue is getting sidetracked is what is
mass tourism's impact on Goa, where charter tourism actually benefits the
state significantly (or only helps certain pockets), whether locals in the
industry get a good deal...
Miguel has raised all these questions. I think he has valid points. Those
who come to Goa on charter holidays should not feel that the criticism is
personally targeted at them, or that they have to defend their role
personally. This is an issue related to the system, and one which Goa
indeed needs to debate closely. Due to the clout of the tourism industry,
this debate was never really possible in a significant way in the local
press. Personally, one recalls a case when hoteliers were trying to even
pull the plug off a report put up on the Net, which was critical of the
environmental impact mass tourism (including charters) was having on the
village of Calangute
An increasing number of people in Goa feel that while a few gain from
tourism, the social and economic price is quite heavy. This is an issue
that is worthy of being debated. Goa University sociologist Alito
Siqueira [EMAIL PROTECTED] was talking about this very issue at Goa Desc's
Friday Balcao last Friday. Unfortunately one could not make it there...
maybe Roland will update us on the perspectives emerging there. FN
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