Govt taking “some bitter steps” to provide sustainable tourism for future generations: Khaunte
Greenfield IT hybrid cluster at Porvorim will accommodate 150-200 small & medium sized companies
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that destinations such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain pose a challenge to the tourism sector in the coastal state.
“These countries are a potential threat to us,” he said, citing the example of Saudi Arabia, which is working on the Red Sea development project that is being completed ahead of schedule. Bahrain is also becoming a preferred destination for weddings, the minister said.
Goa’s tourism sector suffered a setback during the COVID -19 pandemic, but visitor numbers are now back to pre-pandemic levels, Khaunte said. “We are privileged to have the G20 tourism ministers’ meeting in Goa,” he said. Every country has started to make tourism an important sector,” he said, adding that the state is exploring tourism potential beyond beaches.
The government is also taking “some bitter steps” to provide sustainable tourism for future generations, he said.
“We are known as a destination for beaches and party life. No one knows about the hinterland.
Khaunte also said that he is in the process of drafting the new shack policy for the state, and consultation with stakeholders has already begun.
Khaunte clarified that the concept of “model shacks” proposed by the government is a model to be used as an example for our traditional shack operators to see if they can build their shacks on this pattern. “One will be in the north and one in the south. It will show modern amenities in the cabins,” he said.
Khaunte told the House during demands for grants, that his department will introduce AI-based chat bot to deliever services to the citizens in more efficient and effective way.
“In the initial stage, Chat bot would be introduced in Tourism, Public Grievances and Goa online,” he said.
The minister while unveiling various new initiatives said that Goa aspires to be a part of this growth revolution by becoming the next hub of this tech-based through emerging technology and creative spaces.
Speaking about the success of Goa Online website, Khaunte said that total 227 end-to-end services of 35 depts are moved to Goa online website as a part of e-District Mission Mode Project of Union govt. 6.8 lakh registered users, 22.57 lakh transactions recorded till late.
He also said that total 407 Village Level Entrepreneurs have been on-boarded, delivering both state and central government services as a part of Common Service Centre initiative of central government.
About digitalization of data, he said that Rs 30.25 crore sanctioned by union govt to safeguard the important public documents by digitalizing the data and documents pertaining to tourism, registration, labour and employment, printing and stationary, Archives and IT dept for now.
In an announcement related to Electronic Manufacturing Cluster at Tuem, Khaunte said that all the allied work of Electronic Manufacturing Cluster at Tuem will be completed by March 2024.
Narratting the success of start up policy, he said that Government disbursed Rs 3.27 crore to 115 beneficiaries under Goa Start Up policy.
He also revealed about Greenfield IT hybrid cluster at Porvorim which will accommodate 150-200 small and medium sized companies. Khaunte also said that the Start Up village at Chimbel is at the stage of conceptualization.
