‘Goa Is Certainly More Than Sun And Sand’

The minister for tourism in the Goa government, Matanhy Saldanha is a pragmatic thinker and believes in taking action. He has already taken several steps to professionalise tourism in Goa. Talking to Express Travel & Tourism, he sketches a guideline of his action plan

What have been your priorities as tourism minister of Goa?

The first priority has been to improve the infrastructure. In every sense, this needs to be done, although things are much better than before. Good roads, clean public places, regular and quality of water and power supply, these are what we have to strive for. These are essential facilities that can hold a tourist to a destination. We will work as much as we can in these areas. We cannot go on attracting tourists without providing the basic facilities.

Renuka Chowdhury, minister of state for tourism along with minister for tourism, Goa, Mathany Saldanha and secretary tourism, Goa, R Raghuraman at the Goa Pavilion in London for WTM

Are you in favour of the second airport in Goa?

We don't really need to support another airport. Goa is a small place. If we need a second airport, we need to make it viable and sustainable, by adding more flights at least 80 flights. The Sea Bird project is ready so the navy could shift thereby providing us full use of the present airport. The Dabolim airport was always civilian property. Look at the old gazettes. So, why waste money on a new airport. We can use the money to help the Navy shift their station from Goa. Its purpose can well be served by the Sea Bird project. The present airport is enough. We can have a long-term vision, which can be fulfilled by shifting the naval station; a new airport is not my priority. Also, having another airport so close to the existing one is not proper.

There has always been talk that Goa attracts low spending tourism. What is being done to change that perception?

Tourism in Goa has evolved over the decades. For me, all tourists are important, and I would not like to differentiate between a high-spending one and the others. The quality of services and facilities that we offer will attract tourists to Goa, whether high or low spending. High spending tourists need not necessarily boost the economic conditions of the local people. They may benefit a very small section of the population. No doubt we want
high -end tourists, but, other tourists are also important.

A subject of much debate is the distorted image of Goa as a tourist destination, what are you doing to correct that image?

The sea, sun and sand are our strengths. We are using these factors to its full potential. However, the sea shores are getting overexposed and overcrowded. So, we have to look at other avenues. If not, we will kill tourism. We are now looking at developing the hinterland and other areas as tourist attractions. Goa has lovely forest areas, sanctuaries. We have to promote trekking and such other activities as tourist attractions. I am serious about developing other tourist areas in the state. We had Buddhists here, which we plan to project. We have also taken an interest to help protect and maintain old houses that in themselves are a huge tourist attraction. There are rock carvings of ancient times. An amusement park is in the pipeline. We could have miniature museums in practically every village, because, there is so much to offer to the world.

With IFFI, Goa is being projected as an events destination. What do you have to say to that?

IFFI has given us further exposure. Events such as folk festivals have to be planned and projected much in advance to help tourists prepare for their trip. Sports are another way of tourism promotion. This aspect brings people from all other states. For tourism to develop and grow in a planned manner in the state, all government departments have to work in harmony and co-ordination. One department cannot alone succeed in the task.

The Exposition has witnessed several thousand tourists visit Goa. How do you plan promote such events in future?

The Exposition has promoted the concept of pilgrimage tourism. The atmosphere Old Goa is sacred and spiritual. People come from all communities and religions from across the world for the Exposition. It shows harmony, peace and humanism. To have the relic of St Francis Xavier, it is a matter of great pride for the people of Goa. All pilgrims are also tourists that bring benefits for the state and its people.

You had been at the recently held World Trade Mart. How was the experience?

We had an independent pavilion out there and received excellent feedback. We have to promote tourism as an industry. Because, if Goa benefits, the country benefits. We have to be more professional. The experience will help in the growth of tourism. We are already booked in the coming tourist season, and that is one advantage of participating in such events. I am also very much in favour of having an international tourism event in India itself like the WTM, wherein Goa can be truly projected through such events within India itself, which is a big market.