Marcellus D’Souza

Apr 4: The decision of Goa CM Pramod Sawant today, to make the state a ‘Tourists Capital’ is welcomed. While, the intent is genuine, the execution should be according to a definitive road plan. Like all projects, it must be saved from cost escalations and overruns. It should not be allowed to go under and neglected after the initial busts of enthusiasm.

The Goa government must define a set of do’s and don’ts for the locals as well as the ‘tourists’. Caution should be taken, not to make Goa a police state and gullible tourists are hounded or tourists should not be given so much freedom so as to go wild. Tourists are seeking a level of freedom that is not found in their respective states or countries. It is this attraction that is the magnet that Goa is all about.

Rules like tourists can be ‘arrested’ for drinking beer on a breach does not work anywhere in the world, or a tourist who ‘flashes’ cannot be reprimanded. The rules need to be strict but not stringent so as to deter tourists from ‘enjoying’ themselves.

First, infrastructure needs to improve by leaps and bounds. Roads need to improve. Internet has to be high speed and easily available. Facilities like drinking water, pit stops, and medical facilities cannot remain in the shoddy position as they are at the moment. The medical facilities are pathetic and take long hours to arrive.

Various circuits have to be developed. Goa is blessed with natural resources. Goa is more than sea, sand and surf. The nature trails are unique to the state. These could include the spice route. How pepper and cardamom grown? How monkeys are used to pluck coconuts? A tourist does not need to go to Thailand to watch this. Today, the spice route is covered in a day’s trip by tour operators who are in a tearing hurry to check an item, which is part of the package being offered.

Tourists want to explore the villages of Goa. They want to explore the off beaten path. They want to live in a village. They may be interested in a South Goa or a North Goa tour with a performance on ‘Santa Monica’ cruise thrown in, but they want to explore the making of poi or bread, or the crushing of cashew or what really is Bibinca or Dodol. Yes, Carnival is famous but tourists want to learn about how Christmas is celebrated or what is ‘Sao Joao’ or ‘Bondera’.

True, Goa is very well connected by road, air and sea and it still the first choice for a holiday. But what is frustrating is the fact that every shack owner or joy ride owner on the beach only wants to fleece the tourists. This got to change. The tourists are a means of income. The attitude towards the tourists should be welcoming. True, not all tourists are the same and some do cause trouble to the locals and to their business establishments. A change of intent is required from the taxi drivers one meets at the airport. They are a mafia who fleece tourists, leaving a bitter impression of the idea of Goa.
Goa is much more that Bom Jesus Basilica, the Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina or Mae De Deus Church. The government should come to an agreement with the Church to open up other churches of historical and architectural significance. The Monte festival held every year, shows how the precincts of a church, not in everyday use, as well as its courtyard is utilised to hold a festival of music and dance annually. It has become a favorite venue thanks to organisations like Fundação Oriente.

The route to Dudhsagar Falls should be improved. It is in a state of disrepair. The Falls have become a great attraction to tourists. If the Goa government can develop the Dudhsagar Falls like the Canadian Nigeria Falls promenade, it would help tourists reach the breathtaking falls easily. The road as of now is arduous and the taxi drivers make a killing. The various Springs that Goa has been endeavored with should be developed as a circuit for tourists to experience. Though the Kesarval spring is the most popular because of its healing properties; Ana Fonta Spring located in the commercial capital of Margao; the Rivona Spring in South Goa, Pomburpa Springs, Nageshi Temple Springs, Ambora Springs, Udear Springs, Boca de Vaca Springs, Vhoddli and Dhakti Springs, Sonalle Spring, Uddier/Amlar Spring, Patna Spring, Adollem Spring, Kanttem Spring, Remeth Sokol Spring, Challsamchi Zor, Raia Spring, Padre Jose Vaz Spring, Betul Springs and Mardol Spring can be explored.

Homes built during the Portuguese era are another circuit that can be developed. The Chandor-based ‘Braganza House’ built 400 years ago, in the 17th century, filled with antique furniture, relics and historical artifacts are not the only house which can be showcased. There are many ‘other’ homes which carry the richness of architecture of a by-gone era. In Cortalim the ‘Athaide House’ is an example.

Then there are the various forest trails which can be developed. Goa has a rich flora and fauna, which is largely untapped. The river’s can be ultised for educational tours. Many tourists want to know the source of the Mandovi and Zauri Rivers. Where does the River Sal take birth? The Feni and Urak helps kick in the spirits and the Xacuti, the fish curry rice and King Fish fry help vet the palate, but the biker wants to explore the land, the taverns and the lifestyle of Goa. The markets of Maupsa and Margao can be another attraction.

It is true Goa sells like hot poi off the wood fire ovens which are sold by the poder but it the debate if Panjim-based ‘Mr. Bakers’ is better that ‘Rua 31 de Janeiro’ confectionary at Fontainhas continues.

Goa is going to meet completion in its quest of becoming the ‘Tourists Capital’ of India from states like Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh but if Pramod Sawant’s intent is clear his dream could become a reality.