Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Tourism has become the biggest driver of Goa’s economy so it’s important to train and create human resources to ensure Goans get the maximum benefit of jobs emerging in this sector, said Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant while speaking as the Chief Guest at the ‘Yuva Tourism Clubs Meet’ organized by the Department of Tourism as part of the run-up to World Tourism Day celebrations (September 27), held at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula today. “If we fail to create human resources,” the Chief Minister said, “People from outside Goa will come and take up those jobs. Yuva Tourism Clubs is an initiative to engage youth in tourism. It is a platform for youth, even the unemployed youth, to come forward and take up jobs in this sector which is fast expanding with the entry of varied forms of tourism like spiritual, wellness and other emerging forms of tourism.”
As an incentive to those youth who come up with creative ideas to make Goa a tourism destination, Dr Sawant urged the Tourism Department to select and invite youngsters, to become part of their team when they organize tours across the world.
On the occasion, the Yuva Tourism website was launched along with a handbook- Yuva Tourism. The Chief Minister further speaking on the State-Level Tourism Ambassador Program that was also launched, said that this ambassador program was not just making youth tourist guides but rather ambassadors who can ably guide tourists.
Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan Khaunte said that Yuva Tourism Clubs was a medium to promote and foster unity and peace through tourism. He said that the clubs were formed to nurture leadership and team building towards responsible and regenerative tourism at the school and college levels.
The future of tourism is in young ambassadors hands he said, adding, ‘You have the power to shape the world,” he told the gathering. Incidentally, he said, Goa is the first State in the country to launch the concept of regenerative tourism. The Minister further said that while understanding the transformative power of tourism, tourism growth should ensure that the cultural ethos of Goa is protected and there should be a balance in the ecosystem.
He said Yuva tourism clubs are a medium to become entrepreneurs in the field of tourism.
Earlier, the Director of the Tourism Department, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, in his welcome address said the Yuva Tourism Clubs were encouraging eco-friendly initiatives, responsible tourism practices and developing mutual respect between tourists and locals. Also present on the occasion was the Secretary, of Tourism,
Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS, President of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, Shri Jack Sukhija, among others.
Deputy General Manager, Marketing, Hotels, IT and Public Relations, Shri Deepak Narvekar proposed the vote of thanks.
