logo
Goa Tourism Board to Hire Consultant for Enhanced Private Sector Investment and Project Monitoring

Goa Tourism Board to Hire Consultant for Enhanced Private Sector Investment and Project Monitoring

Time of India30-04-2025
Panaji:
The tourism department plans to appoint a consultant to assist the
Goa Tourism Board
(GTB) with funding from the Centre and international financing agencies. The tourism department hopes that the consultant can also promote private sector investments in Goa's tourism sector.
Along the lines of the consultant appointed by the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board, the tourism department will count on the consultant to provide advisory services along with monitoring support for ongoing projects.
'The consultant will help go
Goa's beaches are its crown jewels, drawing travelers from all over the world. From the bustling sands of Baga and Calangute to the serene shores of Palolem and Agonda, there's a beach for every vibe. The golden sands, swaying palms, and warm Arabian Sea offer a perfect escape from the daily grind.
vt conduct pre-feasibility studies and track the progress of all the projects being implemented in the state for the tourism sector. This will help in deciding the best use of funds and also help identify underutilised or idle department assets,' said a department official.
The consultant will be appointed for a five-year contract. The Goa Tourism Board is headed by chief minister Pramod Sawant, with tourism minister Rohan Khaunte serving as co-chairman.
As part of the contract, the consultant will be required to conduct feasibility studies, identify and recommend new schemes and potential funding sources under which new tourism projects of the state can be undertaken. The department said the consultant will also suggest new policies, guidelines, and regulatory measures, if required, for tourist operators.
Given the recent claims of a drop in tourism footfalls, it is not surprising that the tourism department wants the consultant to track performance indicators—annual
tourist footfalls
and revenue generated—and then compare it with national and other international tourism destinations.
'The consultant will coordinate with the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board in promoting private sector investments in Goa's tourism sector. The board requires assistance in framing investor-friendly policies that can promote investment opportunities and attract private investors to Goa. If we want to bring in new activities and businesses, we need new policies,' said a department official.
The department also hopes that the consultant can keep a watch on issues and concerns faced by tourists in the state. In 2014, the department decided to formulate a Tourism Master Plan and Policy along with the formation of a Goa Tourism Board to streamline the initiatives taken up for the tourism sector.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mopa airport emerging as hub for travellers to Lakshadweep, Maharashtra's hinterland
Mopa airport emerging as hub for travellers to Lakshadweep, Maharashtra's hinterland

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

Mopa airport emerging as hub for travellers to Lakshadweep, Maharashtra's hinterland

Panaji : Manohar International Airport, Mopa, is fast emerging as a hub for air connectivity both within India and internationally. Passengers from Maharashtra's tier-II and tier-III cities, along with islanders from Lakshadweep, are flying into Mopa to take flights to metros and outbound flights. According to the tourism department, Goa is well-linked because 2024-25 saw a growth in both domestic and international routes. 'We've seen a clear pattern. Passengers from cities like Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, and Solapur in Maharashtra, often use our airline to reach Goa, and from there, proceed to other destinations. This reflects the growing role of Goa as a gateway and natural transit point,' said FLY91 CEO and MD, Manoj Chacko. With the presence of two operational airports, Indians looking to travel to the Gulf region or to metros have multiple options when planning their journeys through Goa. The last financial year saw a good mix of charter flights and new scheduled routes, with enhanced frequencies from key source markets for both the airports. The state witnessed increased connectivity through scheduled international flights from the Gulf region and Iran in the last year, while new domestic flights connected Goa to major metros and tier-II cities, which have played a vital role during festivals and long weekends, said a travel operator. 'This growth in air access is key to our tourism strategy. Better connectivity brings in wider audiences globally,' said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte, who added that travel to Goa, both domestic and international, has shown steady growth over the past two years. For residents of Lakshadweep, Cochin was the only air link, but with a daily flight between Agatti and Mopa, Manohar International Airport is a better connection point for onward travel to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. During the ongoing session of the state legislative assembly, Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar urged govt to take steps to strategically develop and project Goa as a transit and layover destination for international airlines. Arolkar is batting for the creation of a dedicated hub and spoke model as part of a transit tourism policy for Goa.

Soon, pay Rs 1 lakh fine for creating nuisance at tourist places in Goa
Soon, pay Rs 1 lakh fine for creating nuisance at tourist places in Goa

Time of India

time2 days ago

  • Time of India

Soon, pay Rs 1 lakh fine for creating nuisance at tourist places in Goa

Porvorim: Goa govt on Friday tabled an amendment to the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001, seeking to expand the definition of 'nuisance' at tourist spots and to impose steeper penalties of up to Rs 1 lakh on violators. The proposed amendment outlines a broad spectrum of acts that will now fall under the ambit of nuisance, including pestering tourists to purchase goods or services, drinking alcohol in unauthorised areas, littering, open-air cooking, unauthorised hawking, ticket touting and the illegal operation of water sports and boating activities. 'The rapid expansion of tourism activities has also led to an increase in nuisance at tourist places, affecting the experience of visitors and locals in the state,' said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte while introducing the bill in the House 'The increased nuisance is disturbing public order, and is causing environmental degradation. Instances of unauthorised activities, disturbances and violations of public decorum have been on the rise, necessitating a stronger legal framework to address these concerns,' said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte. Under the proposed law, offences will attract a minimum fine of Rs 5,000, which may extend to Rs 1 lakh. Earlier, the maximum fine that could be imposed was Rs 50,000. According to the bill, violators may also be liable for punishment under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Search for cheap cars deals Cheap Cars deals | Search Ads Learn More Undo Govt has also included a provision for periodic review of penalties. Khaunte said that the amendment provides scope for the department to reevaluate the quantum of the penalty every two years in consultation with the authorities. The fines may be increased by up to 10% of the existing fine. Officials said the measure aims to uphold the integrity of Goa's tourist destinations, encourage responsible tourism, and safeguard the interests of both tourists and local communities.

Goa government to lay new optical fibre network to boost connectivity
Goa government to lay new optical fibre network to boost connectivity

Time of India

time3 days ago

  • Time of India

Goa government to lay new optical fibre network to boost connectivity

Panaji: The Goa government plans to lay a new optical fibre cable network across the coastal state to enhance internet connectivity and ensure digital access to every household, Information Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte has said. Responding to a question raised by independent MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye during the ongoing monsoon session of the state assembly, Khaunte said in a written reply on Thursday that the proposed network will form the backbone of the state's 'Har Ghar Fibre' initiative. "The government is committed to providing affordable, high-speed internet connectivity to every household in Goa, enabling access to digital services in education, healthcare, e-governance, commerce and communication," Khaunte said. He added that the initiative is aligned with the Centre's Digital India programme and is aimed at bridging the digital divide, particularly in underserved areas. The project will be executed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model while also leveraging existing infrastructure such as the Goa Broadband Network and BharatNet to avoid redundancy, Khaunte said in his written reply. He said that the last-mile internet services will be delivered through licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs), using shared or leased access to the network. Khaunte said the project will be rolled out in phases, and regions currently facing limited or no connectivity will get priority. "Year-wise targets for implementation will be finalised following the tendering process and preparation of the execution roadmap," the minister added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store