Hoteliers seek steps to boost tourism in Daman

With more tourists flocking to Daman every year, the fifteenth century Portuguese colony has reported a rise in tourist traffic to over 35 per cent in the last three years.

The arrivals are expected to rise by 65 per cent in 2005, crossing the one million mark. More than 6.5 lakh tourists visited Daman alone in 2002-2003.

Because of the lack of an airport, Daman is, however, losing foreign tourists in spite of its potential as a tourism destination, according to local businessmen.

"Daman needs publicity at the national and international level "" the tourism department of the central government can help. The hotel industry in Daman is geared up to offer the best facilities to tourists, " said Tehmten G Wadia, secretary, Daman Hoteliers Association, in a media conference here on Monday.

"We are planning to tie up with various state-owned tourism corporations to draw people from the various parts of the country. Our pleas to the local and Central governments to push Daman's case did not evoke any response. Moreover, for 2003-2004, the fund allocation to the tourism department is only Rs 50 lakh," Wadia said.

Unspoilt beaches, round the year temperate climate and abundant greenery makes Daman a special tourist destination.

More than 60 per cent of the tourists visiting Daman are from Gujarat, since it is located only 385 km from Ahmedabad, 700 km from Rajkot, 225 km from Vadodara, 120 km from Surat, and only 35 km for Valsad. Daman's easily accessibility "" it's just 10 km from Vapi, the nearest railway station, and is close to National Highway 8, is a big plus.

"Without an airport, the percentage of foreign tourists visiting Daman has remained below 2 per cent of the total," said Gopal K Tandel president, Daman Hoteliers Association.