Goa draft tourism policy to change landscape

The local government has introduced a draft Goa Tourism Policy that would set the ground to move casinos to land.

India.- Tourism attractions in Goa are set to undergo a transformation as the draft Goa Tourism Policy advances. It would set a redevelopment of the assets of state-run Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) through the “private sector” while disengaging it from commercial activities and setting the groundwork to relocate offshore casinos.

Regarding the gaming segment, the draft Goa Tourism Policy mentions the creation of an “international class gaming cluster to relocate offshore casinos”.

Furthermore, the draft also proposes the creation of the Goa Tourism Board (GTB), to be headed by tourism minister, which will take up the responsibilities that have been handled by bodies like GTDC and the State Level Marketing and Promotion Committee (SLMPC).

“Assets such as hotels, buildings, land and immovable assets and so on shall be redeveloped through private sector participation under long-term lease or licensing arrangements, for development or operation and management,” the draft document also states.

The GTDC will act as a progressisve facilitator and will aid investments in the tourism segment as it continuously gets rid of its commercial activities.