Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)
from special correspondent

Panaji, Nov 28: Back from world Trade Mart in London, Goa's tourism minister Fransisco Pacheco feels that Goa was not given the importance it deserved by the India Tourism department and it will participate on its own from next year.

"Next time onwards we will be participating on our own without getting through India Tourism department," the minister stated today citing that Goa did not get enough space at the mart.

Pacheco had led Goa delegation to London which had participation from various other tourist states of the country.

Goa, which is upfront on Indian tourism scene, was provided just 16 square metre space as against the other states like Kerala who got a bigger 24 square metre pavilion, the minister said.

Goa tourism minister said that it is not just space which is bone of contention. ``We did not get any priority during the mart. There were restrictions on banners, posters… How are we supposed to promote our state?" the minister complained.

He said that the department had shelled out Rs 10 lac to participate in the event and was ready to spend more.

The Congress-ruled state has now decided that they will participate on their own bypassing the India Tourism department for the WTM next year."We will have bigger pavilion which will give us greater opportunity to promote our state in the international market," Pacheco, who took over tourism portfolio just four months back, said.

Goa, which receives 24 lac tourists every year has four lac guests from abroad, majority of whom arrive from UK and Russia.

Stating that Goa has better prospects, the minister said that recreational facilities like golf course, theme parks, Oceanerium needs to be created which are aspired by the guests.

On International film festival of India (IFFI), the minister termed the festival as a bonus for the tourism in the state. "We already get so many tourists but with film festival we get the needed publicity in the international market," he added.