Goa, 7th August 2024 – Leader of Opposition, Shri. Yuri Alemao praised the Tourism Minister, Rohan. A Khaunte for sending The Goa Tourism Promotion, Management and Regulation Bill 2024 to the public for suggestions during today’s assembly session.
The bill aims to address the lack of support mechanisms for Goa’s unique culture, heritage, and cuisine. It acknowledges that new tourism activities currently lack the necessary support infrastructure, which the proposed legislation seeks to establish. The Goa Tourism Board (GTB), as outlined in the bill, consists of a balanced composition of government officials and industry experts.
Responding to the queries of Shri Alemao, Minister Khanute noted that the groundwork began in 2021 with a centralized law study. The government engaged three expert agencies to draft the foundational aspects of the law, focusing on a detailed study. Although these agencies did not draft the law themselves, their expert insights significantly contributed to the bill’s development.
He further informed against false information by Shri Alemao that the Phase 1 of the project incurred an expenditure of 35 lakh rupees, plus taxes, amounting to 41 lakh rupees, and with an additional 8 lakh rupees allocated to bring the bill to the legislative house. Minister Khaunte further clarified that the bill for the second phase is still in drafts for the rules and the financial code has not been taken yet. He also made a sarcastic remark, that Opposition Leader, Alemao has a habit of digging up mountains and looking for rats.
This bill has been under careful consideration with inputs from various stakeholders during all 33 meetings, ensuring it addresses the diverse needs of Goa’s tourism landscape. The Goa Tourism Department remains committed to a collaborative approach, inviting feedback from all interested parties as part of the consultation process. The Goa Tourism Promotion, Management and Regulation Bill 2024 is a forward-thinking initiative designed to enhance the tourism experience in Goa while safeguarding our natural and cultural assets.
