NEW TOURISM POLICIES, EDM WILL NOT BOOST QUALITY TOURISM

NOVEMBER 25, 2021
NEW TOURISM POLICIES, EDM WILL NOT BOOST QUALITY TOURISM
MAPUSA: The North Goa Congress District Committee President, Vijay Bhike hits out at Tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar on his recent statement ‘EDM festivals are needed to boost quality tourism in the State’.
Bhike went on to highlight that there was a need for new tourism policies and not EDM festivals to boost quality tourist in the state.
“I would like to bring to the notice of our Tourism Minister that Goa has been traced back to the year 1960 when we already had international tourist coming into the state. They did not litter the place, create a nuisance or feel unsafe. Of late Goa is being advertised as a destination for EDM festivals, drugs and prostitution. The tourist coming also do not feel safe anymore due to the rise in crime against them,” said Bhike while addressing the media at the Mapusa Congress office on Thursday.
“Ajgaonkar should stop making imaginary statements and do some actual work like drafting a tourism policy and making Goa a destination safe for tourist if he is really concerned about boosting quality tourism in the state,” he added.
Bhike welcomed the new Director General of Police (DGP) ID Shukla who took charge on Wednesday.
“We appreciate you for ensuring the people of Goa that tourist safety will be your highest priority and curbing narcotics activities will be another priority but please make sure this is a reality,” said Bhike.
While Prominent Social Activist and Lawyer from Pernem, Advocate Jitendra Gaonkar spoke of Casino Deltin and its ill effect on the state. He also pointed out how muscle power and money was being used to strategically destroy the state.
One can recall that Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant on Wednesday declared that no Sunburn festival would be held in Goa this year.
Ajgaonkar, however, told the press that such festivals are needed to boost quality tourism in the State.
“We need high spending tourists to come to Goa and such festivals always help in attracting tourists. Even Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has allowed international flights and has opened up visa facilities,” he added.
Present on the occasion was the President Pernem Block Congress Committee, Rudresh Deshprabhu; Prominent Social Activist and Lawyer from Pernem, Advocate Jitendra Gaonkar and Vice-President District Congress Committee, Sandesh Narvekar.