Goa’s Tourism Leaders Meet Yuri Alemao to Discuss New Tourism Bill

The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) met with Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao at his Chamber in the Assembly Complex in Porvorim. The meeting included former TTAG President Savio Messias, Tito Goes, and Aakash Madgavkar. They submitted a Memorandum highlighting various issues faced by the tourism sector.

According to the Memorandum, the proposed Bill by the Tourism Department offers a disorganized framework that could harm the tourism industry rather than improve it. The Bill emphasizes penalties, punishments, fines, and fees, which would increase costs and government control over the tourism sector.

TTAG also pointed out deviations from the Tourism Policy 2020, particularly concerning the representation of local tourism stakeholders. The Bill includes provisions for national bodies that have no role in Goa’s tourism industry. Additionally, TTAG raised concerns about high taxation, development, and sustainability fees, which they consider draconian.

Yuri Alemao criticized the BJP Government, stating, “BJP Government has killed the Mining Industry in Goa. Now they want to finish the Tourism Industry. Their only focus is on every inch of Goan Land which they want to sell to the Crony Capitalists of Delhi. I will take up this issue in the upcoming Assembly Session and seek an explanation from the Government.”

Alemao promised to vociferously raise the concerns of tourism stakeholders in the Assembly Session, highlighting the serious challenges faced by the tourism sector due to faulty government policies.