ROADS, WATER, SANITATION, GARBAGE... GOA CAN'T MANAGE ITS TOURISTS

By Niraj MANAV
HERALD STAFF WRITER

PANJIM -- Lack of proper infrastructure is the most
significant constraint in the development of tourism in Goa,
according to the basic information report of the Regional Plan
for Goa - 2011.

The report prepared by the Consulting Engineering Services
(India) Limited has suggested major improvements for roads, water
supply, sanitation, garbage disposal and power in the state.

Dabolim airport, controlled by the Navy, is available for
civilian traffic for few hours thus restricting the free arrival
of foreign tourists in the state, the report said.

Beaches and coastal areas are dominating the tourist trade for
their inherent advantages, the report said and added that these
areas are suffering from over exploitation and tremendous
pressure on resources.

While recognising the potential of interior areas in tourism
development, the report recommended the diversion of tourist
traffic in the hinterlands.

However, the consultants have warned that this should be done
only after proper infrastructure is built to make these areas
accessible besides creating innovative tourist attractions at
appropriate places.

"Conversion of agriculture and khasan lands for construction of
hotels and guest houses has destroyed the character of coastal
villages, especially around Calangute", states the report.

Supporting infrastructure facilities have not kept pace with the
construction activity in such hotel/resort townships resulting in
chaotic urban environment.

It further observed that the beaches and coastal areas are
affected due to high pollution caused by rampant tourism
activity.

Out of 11 talukas in the state, only four coastal talukas --
Tiswadi and Bardez in the North and Salcete and Mormugao in the
South -- attract significant number of tourists. Even the
movement of foreign tourists is confined to the beaches falling
in these talukas.

There has been no major change in the arrival of domestic
tourists in different talukas during the last 15 years, the
report stated.

In terms of arrival of foreign tourists, the share of North Goa
was around 60 per cent in the late 80's. However, it has come
down to around 40 per cent in the 90's while the reverse has
happened for South Goa. This indicates change in preferences of
the foreigners over time.

In the last two decades, tourism has emerged as a major economic
activity, earning more than Rs 300 crores foreign exchange each year.

The total 12.28 lakhs tourists arrived in the state in 1998. One-
third of these are foreign tourist, which makes 11 per cent of
the total foreign tourists visiting the country.

Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries, in their comment to the
report, pointed out several expert studies which have been
ignored by the consultants.

"There is no analysis of 1987 Tourism Master Plan. No reference
to work by OASES, New Delhi, and project reports submitted to
Japanese Overseas Aid Agency for infrastructure development", the
GCCI comment said.

Since Consulting Engineering Services are also preparing Goa's
Tourism Master Plan, they should first complete an exhaustive
survey and analysis of previous reports/works, GCCI said, while
expressing dissatisfaction over compilation of the CES Master
Plan on Tourism.