‘Various avenues like scuba diving, snorkeling, paragliding, parasailing, yachting, river rafting, trekking, cycling, skating, jogging, and sea surfing coming up soon in the state for water sports enthusiasts’
A piece of good news for Goa lovers. It is no more a State of just beaches, temples and churches. Soon, the Government will enter into a tie-up with the private sector to add water sports, adventure sports and eco-tourism to tourist packages in the Western Ghats. Aware of the need to offer more to retain its edge in tourism, the Government has finalized the Tourism Master Plan: Goa-2011(TMP) with emphasis on "strategic planning for long-term tourism development with focus on infrastructure". A need has been identified for several sports and activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, paragliding, parasailing, yachting, river rafting, trekking, cycling, skating, jogging, and sea surfing for tourism promotion. Some of the activities suggested would be mainly set up in private sector with guidelines for regulation. Infrastructure is to be developed at the leisure tourism destinations such as beaches, water bodies, springs, and lakes. The State, received 22 lac tourists, including 3.26 lac foreign tourists, in 2010. The State received 425 chartered aircraft last season.
Developing Goa as a marina destination holds tremendous appeal. Rising boat sales in India means a need for marinas. This is good news for visiting yachts who currently have to "make do" in a country where marine leisure is just beginning. India has 7,600km of coastline, warm weather, a booming economy and projections of a 50 per cent below-25 population by 2020. In the next five years, the leisure boating industry will be worth at least US$1 billion, but so far, demand outstrips supply as far as marinas go.
Making Goa A Better Tourist Spot:
- Tourist transport for Recreational and connectivity purpose
- Facilities for the tourists at the tourist sites (such as changing rooms, showers, recreational areas, shopping arcades)
- Friendly and cooperative service by locals (guides, cops, vendors)
- Friendly and pro-tourist rules and regulations (customs, tax structure)
- Rationalization of rates for products and services (hotel tariffs, vehicle hiring costs)
- Establish and strengthen linkages and networking to ensure the provision of adequate infrastructure facilities and services in tourism areas, as well as the development, enhancement and promotion of existing and potential tourist attractions
- Sustainable development of marine activities such as snorkeling, surfing, yachting, speed boating, etc can have a game-changing impact on local economies through creation of new jobs across a number of sectors such as sports, education, commerce, food and beverage.
- ‘yachting economics’ take centre stage in a sea region blessed with the natural beauty and weather conditions which are conducive to the growth of yachting
- Marina infrastructure can upgrade overall standards, improve service quality and product offering, guarantee safety and encourage innovation in promoting the tourism potential of a region
- Accommodation infrastructure (high end as well as affordable) including Forest accommodation to supplement eco-tourism
- Tourist reception centers