COVID-19: Goa to seek Centre's help to revive tourism industry
State Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar, in aninterview to , said his department has written to ChiefMinister Pramod Sawant, seeking help for the tourism industryfrom the Prime Minister's relief fund for COVID-19.
"How much fund is required for it has to be decided bya panel of experts. We have formed a committee headed by statefinance secretary Daulat Hawaldar to study it. We will have towork out a plan to get out of this crisis," he said.
Goa already has a tourism policy. The state wants tointroduce a financial package for hoteliers, vendors, shackowners and others dependent on tourism so that they canrestart their business, he said.
The minister further said the state government shouldnot allow any tourists in the coastal state after the lockdownis lifted, unless they are certified negative for coronavirus.
This practice should continue for next two years tillthe situation normalises at the global level, he said.
Ajgaonkar said the coronavirus outbreak happened at atime when the coastal state had managed to get back itstourism industry on track after the global slump.
"But, because of COVID-19, we will again have tostart from zero. Till all airports and other routes are openedtourism cannot re-start in the state, he said.
Nearly 80 lakh tourists visit Goa every year, heclaimed, adding that till the situation does not normalise atthe national level, the coastal state's borders will continueto remain sealed.
He said the lockdown has come as a "blessing indisguise" for law enforcement agencies which can now work onremoving all evils, including the menace of drugs in thetourism sector, before the industry resumes.
The minister said the state tourism department hadparticipated in a travel mart in China shortly before thecoronavirus outbreak.
We were expecting tourists here from China. But weare thankful it did not happen. We want tourists to come toGoa, but not from COVID-19 affected places," he said.
"We should not allow them until they are certifiedcoronavirus-free. And checking of tourists should continue fornext two years, he added. RPSGK GK