Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government is set to roll out a slew of tourism reforms aimed at sustainability, ease of doing business, and employment generation, following a high-level meeting held at Mantralaya on Wednesday.
The meeting, chaired by CM Dr Pramod Sawant, was attended by Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, MLA and GTDC Chairman Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar, Chief Secretary, and key representatives from various departments and tourism associations.
A key highlight of the deliberations was the introduction of the Green Highway Concept, envisioned as a major step towards making Goa one of the cleanest and most tourist-friendly destinations globally. The initiative falls under the government’s broader sustainability goals and will focus on eco-friendly infrastructure, waste management, and cleaner transport corridors.
The meeting featured detailed discussions on several core areas of Goa’s tourism policy. These included:
•Simplifying licensing procedures and enhancing the ease of doing business in the tourism sector
•Boosting employment opportunities for Goans in hospitality and allied services
•Improving waste management, road maintenance, and beach cleanliness
•Strengthening safety measures and regulating beach and water sports activities
•Offering subsidies and infrastructure support for hotels, staff accommodation, and apprenticeship programs
•Rationalising tax and excise structures for the hospitality industry
•Promoting Goa as a hub for sports and large-scale events, while urging corporate entities to prioritise local hiring
CM also took up pressing civic and safety issues, including the growing number of dog bite incidents, sewage management challenges, unregulated hawking, and transport-related bottlenecks. Departments concerned were directed to initiate swift, coordinated, and strict action, particularly by law enforcement agencies.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to time-bound reforms, improved inter-departmental coordination, and a pro-tourism policy framework aimed at reinforcing Goa’s reputation as a world-class destination.
Further announcements and timelines related to the Green Highway rollout and policy reforms are expected in the coming weeks.
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