In a significant move to address pressing issues faced by the tourism sector and to drive coordinated action across departments, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant chaired a high-level inter-departmental meeting with key stakeholders and representatives from the tourism industry at the Secretariat, Porvorim.
Present at the meeting were Tourism Minister, Rohan A. Khaunte; Chairman of GTDC, Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar; Chief Secretary, V. Candavelou; Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik; Managing Director, GTDC, Kuldeep Arolkar; Assistant Director of Tourism, Jayesh Kankonkar; senior officials from the police department, secretaries of various departments, Collectors of North and South Goa, and representatives of leading industry bodies such as TTAG, Shack Owners Welfare Society, NRAI, HRAWI, and members from the hospitality and travel trade including Kuoni Travel India.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sawant assured the stakeholders that the government has taken serious note of the concerns raised by the tourism industry. The CM said: “Goa is already witnessing a positive influx of tourists, including during the ongoing monsoon season. We have listened to all stakeholders – shack owners, restaurateurs, hoteliers, and tour operators. Key issues such as trade licence renewals, extended operational hours, infrastructure bottlenecks, and aviation connectivity will be addressed within the next month. We are committed to escalating matters such as visa-on-arrival and international airline connectivity to the Government of India and the Prime Minister’s Office. Goa’s tourism potential will be maximised through seamless coordination between departments, and our people will benefit through employment, upskilling, and access to a digital skill development portal.”
Dr Sawant further outlined that MICE tourism, spiritual and wellness tourism, and sports-based tourism will be given a focussed push. Plans were also shared to boost high-speed internet connectivity through the IT Department, streamline transport logistics, and enhance the visitor experience through a clean and green Goa initiative. The government also intends to strengthen the single-window clearance mechanism and resolve long-pending issues related to GST, electricity, water supply, and road infrastructure.
Khaunte reiterated the importance of inter-departmental collaboration and stakeholder synergy. “Tourism is an industry that requires constant support and structured alignment with various departments from Panchayats to Police to Forest and beyond. We are competing with top global destinations, and it is imperative that Goa stays one step ahead. By focussing on ease of doing business and targeted intervention, we can enhance the quality of tourism, increase employment, and grow tourism in a responsible manner.”
Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar expressed confidence in the government’s roadmap and the effectiveness of the consultative process. “The concerns raised today have been noted with utmost seriousness. The Government is committed to delivering timely solutions. Within a month and a half, the industry will begin to see visible outcomes and tangible improvements across the board.”
The meeting was a follow-up to earlier deliberations held in January this year and underscored the government’s commitment to develop tourism in a holistic, responsible, and future-ready manner, stated a press release.
