Latest news with #Khaunte
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Goa govt working on AI roadmap with focus on skill development
Panaji: Goa govt has constituted a council for artificial intelligence (AI) to advise state govt on a six-month AI roadmap for the state. The council, which includes chief executive officers of several international companies, will be formed over the next six months. Goa's AI roadmap will focus on skill development, funding requirements, govt policy and infrastructure requirements, and finally, a plan to attract other AI-first startups to Goa. 'We want to introduce AI at the school level. The focus is to see how AI can be used for tourism, governance, and cyber security,' said chief minister Pramod Sawant. 'We will scale up the startup accelerator programmes.' Sawant said that the state would try to take as much assistance from the Centre to help meet Goa's AI goals. The chief minister said that Goa aims to be the pioneer among states that adopt AI goals. With an intention to meet its AI goals, the department of information technology, electronics and communications (DITE&C) has roped in senior executives from McLaren Strategic Systems, American firm Omnumi, as well as former executives from PayTM Money. 'We had a meeting a month ago and this is the second meeting where we have experts to brainstorm, formulate, and implement a very clear vision of Goa AI Vision 2027,' said IT minister Rohan Khaunte. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cách giao dịch ETH/USD mà không cần nắm giữ Ether IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo He added that the first foray into AI technologies is an AI-powered chatbot that integrates GoaOnline with WhatsApp to provide governance and public services. The Goa AI Mission 2027 aims to hasten AI adoption, AI skilling, and AI startups in the state. Khaunte said that the department wants to nurture AI-based startups that can build for Goa and scale for India. Sawant said that govt will adopt a multi-stakeholder approach by involving govt departments, startups, academia, and industry for AI. BITS Pilani Goa, Goa Engineering College, and other academic institutions have been roped in to help formulate the policy. Of the 350 odd startups and IT companies operating in Goa, the state has at least 20 startups that are focused on purely AI technologies, Goa Technology Association president Mangirish Salelkar said. He said that the aim is to have more Goan companies venture into AI. Khaunte said the final aim is for Goans to find employment in the AI industry.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Goa seeks eased bilaterals, direct EU-UK flights to boost inbound tourism, ET Infra
Advt Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. Get updates on your preferred social platform Follow us for the latest news, insider access to events and more. With international tourist arrivals yet to recover, the Goa government has requested the civil aviation ministry to bring in reforms, including a relaxation in the bilateral agreements for foreign airlines. Goa is advocating for a more liberal open skies policy for tourism states that are traditionally dependent on inbound state government has asked the Centre to encourage international airlines and Indian carriers to increase direct connectivity between Goa and European cities."If we are serious about unlocking India's tourism potential, we must look at the open skies policy not just for metros but for tourism-driven secondary hubs. If Goa is to be part of India's tourism engine, we need to be part of India's aviation reform agenda," said tourism minister Rohan handles about 160 flights per day, with a very small percentage being international flights. The state has also seen a significant reduction in charter flights after the pandemic, though the decline began much before that. Last year, Goa had close to 10 million travellers, but almost 9.5 million were domestic travellers, and only half a million came from international worrying sign has prompted the state government to call for reforms and innovation in civil aviation. Chief minister Pramod Sawant and Khaunte have conveyed Goa's concerns to the Centre."A recalibration of bilaterals, opening the door for long-haul connectivity to the EU, UK, and the Nordic region — Goa's winter sun markets — and strategic engagement with West Asian hubs that can serve as aviation bridges," said Khaunte.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Goa urges Centre to liberalise airline agreements to boost tourism, ET Infra
Advt With international tourist arrivals yet to recover, Goa govt has requested the civil aviation ministry to bring in reforms, including a relaxation in the bilateral agreements for foreign airlines. Goa is advocating for a more liberal open skies policy for tourism states that are traditionally dependent on inbound govt has asked the Centre to encourage international airlines and Indian carriers to increase direct connectivity between Goa and European cities."If we are serious about unlocking India's tourism potential, we must look at the open skies policy not just for metros but for tourism-driven secondary hubs. If Goa is to be part of India's tourism engine, we need to be part of India's aviation reform agenda," said tourism minister Rohan handles about 160 flights per day, with a very small percentage being international flights. The state has also seen a significant reduction in charter flights after the pandemic, though the decline began much before that. Last year, Goa had close to 10 million travellers, but almost 9.5 million were domestic travellers, and only half a million came from international worrying sign has prompted state govt to call for reforms and innovation in civil aviation. Chief minister Pramod Sawant and Khaunte have conveyed Goa's concerns to the Centre."A recalibration of bilaterals, opening the door for long-haul connectivity to the EU, UK, and the Nordic region - Goa's winter sun markets - and strategic engagement with West Asian hubs that can serve as aviation bridges," said Khaunte.
India Today
09-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Why Goa cabbies are up in arms against move to allow app-based taxis
It is one of the most-sought-after destinations for foreign and domestic tourists. But travellers to coastal Goa have long felt impaired by a major constraint—the absence of app-based taxi services, such as Ola and Uber, regulated fares or digital has invited accusations of a 'taxi mafia' charging steep and arbitrary rates. While local taxi unions strongly refute the allegations, travellers' predicament, when combined with the rising accommodation costs, has led to concerns over whether Goa can retain its status as a tourist magnet. Locals too have to face constraints due to high taxi fares and a weak public transport the state did introduce government-backed app-based services, such as Goa Miles (2018) and Goa Taxi (2023), their services may be limited. Goa has 16,675 yellow-black colour-coded taxis and tourist public transport scene, though, may change for the better soon as the government is planning to allow app-based cabs to operate. The 'Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines, 2025' lay down draft rules for operating these services, grievance redress, enforcement and penalties. The draft guidelines state that the aggregators should onboard only those drivers who have a valid private service vehicle (PSV) badge. They will also 'not prevent or disincentivise the driver to onboard with multiple aggregators'. The aggregators will ensure a health insurance cover for the drivers of no less than Rs 10 lakh, with 2025-26 as the base year and an increment of 5 per cent every year. For women drivers, the health insurance shall extend to their parents and draft guidelines have, however, led to protests by taxi operators and drivers. These stakeholders claim it will affect their livelihood and allow entry for operators from outside the state. Michael Lobo, BJP MLA from Calangute in north Goa, has come out in support of the taxi unions, but in line with the government's push, has said that aspects such as market rates for taxis should be Khaunte, the state tourism minister, has urged operators to come out with their own app and offered to help them. 'I do not agree with those who claim they do not want technology,' he Godinho, Goa minister for transport, said talks were on with stakeholders on the guidelines and that taxi drivers would be taken into confidence. 'I can say with conviction that it will help the people of Goa,' he said. While making a case for regulated fares and against overcharging, he said the government was willing to fund taxi operators to launch their own app.A senior tourism department official said app-based cabs would help tourism in Goa. 'Tourists know that the rates charged by local taxis are not justified. While one taxi will charge Rs 1,000 for a certain route, another will quote Rs 1,500. There is no justification for this,' the official explained. 'Cab-hailing apps will ensure some uniformity in pricing, especially as tourists feel Goa is more expensive compared to other destinations.'advertisementP. Pravimal Abhishek, director, transport, Goa government, told INDIA TODAY the move promises to 'unlock a lot of potential in terms of economic value'. 'The idea is that all taxi operations must be digitised and made convenient for locals and tourists,' Abhishek said. He added that the draft guidelines had not been formulated out of the blue—a broad framework was discussed with stakeholders and taxi unions since taxi unions, though, are enraged. Bappa Korgaonkar, a leader of the tourist taxi operators in Goa, claimed app-based taxi services were 'not feasible in Goa' as it was not a metropolitan city. 'Why should we (drivers) pay commissions to apps when we are doing the work?' We have ensured tourism booms in Goa. Ola and Uber drivers may come from outside the state and won't know, for example, which beach in Goa is good,' he said such fears were 'completely unfounded'. The guidelines state that only vehicles with valid permits issued by the State Transport Authority or Regional Transport Authority, and drivers with PSV badges can be onboarded. 'This means local drivers will find more customers and create more business opportunities for themselves,' he said. The platforms must have a registered office or branch office in Goa. This meant no 'outsiders'.advertisementYuri Alemao, leader of the Opposition in the legislative assembly, criticised the move. 'Goa's taxi operators are known for providing the best hospitality and a safe environment for customers. Our taxi drivers have become ambassadors of tourism. However, there is risk that these aggregators might bring in drivers from other states, which could tarnish the image of Goa,' he said.'The BJP government's priority seems to be to accumulate commissions, and introducing aggregators might be a new venture for them to make money. This will only add to unemployment, an issue this government has failed to address. Aggregators will likely finish off the traditional business of Goa, benefiting only private players. It is strange that the government has no control over air tickets and hotel prices, which are inflated, but wants to control only tourist taxi rates,' he 2023, Goa had 8.1 million domestic and 453,000 foreign tourists visiting it. In 2024, Goa welcomed a higher 9.94 million domestic tourists and around 468,000 international tourists. 'The state has witnessed a notable 21 per cent growth in tourism, which promises a very positive trend for tourism in Goa. While domestic tourist footfall increased by 22 per cent, foreign tourist footfall increased by 3 per cent. These statistics unmistakably indicate a robust growth in Goa's tourism sector, reaffirming its position as a most preferred tourist destination,' said the Economic Survey of Goa for department of tourism has said that tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 have grown by 10.5 per cent year on year as compared to the same period in 2024. The first three months of this year have seen 2.85 million visitors come to Goa, up from 2.58 million in the first quarter of to India Today MagazineTrending Reel
India Today
04-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
How Goa plans to take tourism beyond sea and sand
Tourists visiting Goa will have more destinations on their to-do list in the coastal state in the future. The state cabinet has approved tourism infrastructure projects, such as Rs 121 crore town square project in Porvorim and the development of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi near Ponda in North Khaunte, minister for tourism, said the town square in Porvorim is conceptualised as a first of its kind in the country. The town square, which is inspired by international landmarks such as New York's Times Square and London's Piccadilly Circus, will be designed as a community hub, and will host local artisans and create opportunities for employment and cultural town square will have a market court, welcome court, fountain court, movie court, heritage court, an Ashoka Stambh, and a clock tower. Of the estimated Rs 120.97 crore cost, Rs 90.74 crore will come from the Union government and the rest from the state government. It is expected to be completed by March who is a three-term MLA from Porvorim, said the town square will provide new avenues for artists and cultural entrepreneurs, and offer a modern space rooted in Goan heritage. This will be a heritage-linked public space that also promotes economic growth. It will be spread across 11,000 sq metres and operate round the year. Khaunte also announced the beautification of the Porvorim Creek and development of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi. This will enhance Goa's cultural tourism the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, the rural circuit from Porvorim to Harvalem will be developed. This project will enhance the creek experience, encompassing Torda Creek, Malim Jetty, Virlosa and Pomburpa Spring, extending up to Harvalem. Colva will also be redeveloped under the coastal component of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, and will be given upgraded facilities and public said around Rs 400 crore worth of tourism projects have been sanctioned for Goa by the Union government. He said it was important that tourists explore Goa beyond its sands and sea in order to develop deeper appreciation of the state's culture, heritage and hinterlands. The department has made efforts to showcase the state's tourism beyond its beaches and develop verticals such as eco-tourism, adventure tourism and 2023, Goa had 8.1 million domestic and 453,000 foreign tourists visiting. In 2024, Goa welcomed a higher 9.94 million domestic tourists and around 468,000 international tourists. 'The state has witnessed a notable 21 per cent growth in tourism, which promises a very positive trend for tourism in Goa. While domestic tourist footfall increased by 22 per cent, foreign tourist footfall increased by 3 per cent. These statistics unmistakably indicate a robust growth in Goa's tourism sector, reaffirming its position as a most preferred tourist destination,' said the Economic Survey of Goa for department of tourism has said that tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 have grown by 10.5 per cent year on year as compared to the same period in 2024. The first three months of this year have seen 2.85 million visitors come to Goa, up from 2.58 million in the first quarter of to India Today Magazine
