Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: While stating that Goa needs quality tourists, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte today pitched for Integrated Beach Management Policy.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte this afternoon chaired a meeting along with all Coastal MLA of Goa at Paryatan Bhavan.
“Beach cleaning was at the forefront at the meeting; many issues which came up were related to giving a proper beach. We need quality tourists coming to the state, and for that we need a beach management policy. By this, we will see what issues we can address,” said Khaunte.
Khuante said that all coastal MLAs need to work together as it is the main economic sector of the state and that if this sector needs to flourish, inputs and suggestions are necessary.
“The government is going to promote the “culture of #WorkationGoa” through co-working spaces to be created on the beaches; in the initial phase, Benaulim beach in South Goa district and Morjim and Miramar beaches in North Goa district have been identified for setting up such co-working spaces,” he said.
The minister said that existing authorities cannot crack down on illegalities that occur along the beach belt, particularly touts, drinking on the beach and sound violations.
“We are short of the tourist security force, we will make it partly with the present tourism policy, with the forthcoming, we will ensure enough tourist force,” he added .
Khaunte said that he wants to create a good impression to the tourists of good and clean beaches. He also said that his department has started getting certain reforms related to safety and other aspects.
“We need the help of Goa Police to tackle such illegal activities; all the stakeholders should work together,” he added.
Also, there should be surveillance on the beaches via CCTV for the security of tourists,” Khaunte added..
Khaunte also promised that action would begin on illegal activities on the coastal belt, and the tourism department would be technology-driven.
