Team Goemkarponn
Bicholim: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has highlighted the growing popularity of rural tourism over traditional beach tourism, citing its ability to offer visitors mental peace, a natural environment, and meaningful experiences. He called on the youth to take initiative in transforming their ancestral lands into rural tourism hubs.
“Tourism centred in rural areas is seeing greater demand among both Indian and foreign tourists. It offers calm, satisfaction, and an authentic connection with nature,” Sawant said. He encouraged young Goans to leverage government schemes and contribute to tourism-led development in villages, which he said would also create local employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister further emphasized the need to bring the government’s campaign ‘Clean Goa, Beautiful Goa’ to life, linking it with the broader vision of ‘Swayampurna Goa’. He appealed to village panchayats and residents to collaborate in maintaining cleanliness and supporting eco-friendly tourism development.
In addition to boosting tourism, Sawant said the government is also considering introducing non-polluting food industries in the state’s industrial zones to generate more jobs for Goan youth without harming the environment.
Backing the Chief Minister’s vision, Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye pointed out that several rural tourism centres and farms already operate in his constituency. “With greater participation from the youth, rural Goa can witness a tourism boom that benefits both locals and visitors,” Shetye added.
