Scope for tourism development in Goa limited

Goa may be known the world over as one of the most popular tourism destinations — but state Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco appears to disagree.

In a written reply to the Goa legislative assembly, Pacheco Tuesday said Goa does not need a tourism master plan and setting up of a state tourism board because Goa was ‘a small state and scope for tourism development is limited’.

‘The recommendation of master plan for the formation of a state tourism board could not be accepted since Goa being a small state, the scope for tourism development is limited,’ Pacheco said.

Goa’s sunny beaches attract nearly 24 lakh tourists annually out of which about 4.5 lakh are foreigners.

According to trade figures, tourism in Goa generates Rs.850 crore annually in various forms of taxes earned from tourism-related activity.