Goa tourism minister Rohan Khaunte faces opposition attack over tourism stats

Porvorim: On the last day of the assembly session on Wednesday, the opposition cornered tourism minister Rohan Khaunte for almost the entire question hour. The opposition criticised him for not providing proper replies to questions on foreign tourist numbers, the money spent on international and domestic roadshows, and the expenditure on tourism infrastructure, among other issues.

Khaunte said that the TIME (Tourists Information Management System) software would be made compulsory for hotels, guest houses, and other such facilities from April 1. He said this will ensure that state govt receives accurate data on tourist arrivals.

St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar said there was no answer to his first or second question. “How much was spent on roadshows, study tours, social media promotion, television, and radio; and which market was tapped for high-end tourists?” Borkar said.

“I provided him with an answer in the last assembly session. If he wants, he can ask me in detail, and I will provide (answers),” Khaunte said. He also said that the average occupancy of hotels is 75%.

Borkar alleged that the department encourages corruption. “I asked a simple question, and it is a starred Legislative Assembly Question, and I am privileged to get an answer. Why are you hiding the information?” Borkar said. Khaunte said he would table the details on the floor of the House.

Borkar said he has not received any answer as the department does not have clarity. “I asked another question on the details of the amount spent on tourism infrastructure works taken up by the department over the past three years and whether a new touristic landmark has been identified and developed,” Borkar said. “This is a simple question, and I got a reply that details cannot be furnished.”

Borkar subsequently rushed to the well of the House to seek a ruling on his question from the speaker. “It is a scam, and that is why they are not providing answers related to infrastructure,” Borkar said.

Khaunte said he would be able to provide data on foreign nationals arriving in Goa, country-wise, in the next assembly session. He said there was an average 21% growth in the tourism sector compared to last year.

He also said there was a 22% rise in domestic tourism and a 3% rise in international tourists. Khaunte said that Goa was dependent on Russia and the UK for international tourists, but now the state is attracting tourists from other countries such as Poland and Kazakhstan.

Khaunte said that the tourism department is finalising a festival calendar for the whole year.

The leader of the opposition, Yuri Alemao, asked why foreign tourists are turning back and why they are not coming to Goa in the volume they used to. “When a question is admitted and if we don’t get answers, we are not getting answers properly,” Alemao said.

Khaunte said that an airlines incentive scheme would be launched to attract more international tourists.