Goa planning to attract 6 million tourists in 5 years

Goa planning to attract 6 million tourists in 5 years

Date: Jun 30, 2012

PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the state plans to increase tourist inflow from 2.6 million to 6 million in five years and promote it as a destination which has more than just ‘beaches and pubs’.

“We have an average 2.6 million tourists visiting Goa annually. We are now planning to take the figure to 6 million in next five years,” Parrikar told businessmen and economists at Goa Investment Forum 2012 held here.

He said the state will create entertainment facilities and fix its infrastructure in the tourist belt so that more numbers can be accommodated.

Parrikar interacted with more than 50 chief executive officers of top companies during the forum organized by industry body Ficci and the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( GCCI).

“We need to look at more than beaches and pubs. Today guests visiting Goa have only two entertainments – beaches and pubs. We have to create more alternatives for them once they arrive here,” he said.

To have more alternatives, the state needs increased investments, he said, adding that the government will extend all help to investors.

“The delivery is one aspect that I can assure you,” he told investors.

Goa Investment Forum 2012 was held for the first time in the state today which is looking at investment in Information Technology, IT enabled services, Pharmaceuticals, Bio technology, light engineering, entertainment and tourism.

State Tourism Director Swapnil Naik told reporters at the sidelines of the forum that state is in the process of fixing the infrastructure.

“We want to give more facilities to guests. The infrastructure needs to be improved, entertainment facilities should be set up,” he added.

Naik said over the next five years, its possible to achieve the number of six million tourist-mark.

The Tourism Department has claimed that the state has enough bed capacity to accommodate six million visitors.

“There is a scarcity during peak season but if tourists are evenly distributed then we have enough rooms,” Naik said.

src: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-06-30/news/32484183_1_tourist-inflow-goa-plans-mn-tourists