The tourism department will likely push to obtain approval for its proposed designated tourist force, at the Goa Tourism Board’s (GTB) meeting scheduled this week.
While the proposal was also discussed at the last GTB meeting, it did not find favour with the government.
“Probably, the proposal was sent to the government. But we think the home department is not very keen on this plan,” said a source, adding that they would nevertheless stress on having more personnel allocated for tourism duty, especially to be deployed at beaches.
The source said for monitoring beaches and maintaining a semblance of order, the department lacks adequate personnel for deployment. Moreover, it needs to entirely rely on cops to act against vendors and beggars who swarm the beaches in the absence of police patrolling.
“Even though some policemen are posted for beach duties, their numbers are inadequate, while many beach stretches have none. Some beaches get very crowded on weekends and require police surveillance,” the source said.
Minister of Tourism for Goa, Rohan Khaunte compared Goa’s Chikhal Kalo mud festival to Spain’s famous La Tomatina festival, indicating that Goa’s cultural events deserve similar attention. Goa’s recent recognition as the Festival Organiser of the Year (Cultural & State Events) at the ET MICE & Wedding Tourism Summit & Awards, is a testimony to its commitment to promoting cultural experiences along popular tourism offerings.
A few months ago, tourism minister Rohan Khaunte had criticised the police for not doing enough to ward off touts, vendors and beggars targeting tourists on beaches and at other tourist spots.After his outcry, Calangute police arrested several touts and vendors roaming on the beaches under its jurisdiction, and had their goods seized.
Vendors and masseurs are banned on beaches. Yet, at most stretches, the vendors conduct business due to the absence of police presence.
A GTB member said that footfalls at some popular beaches multiply on weekends and during peak season, and hence crowd management becomes important.
“There have been cases of thefts reported from beaches, needing police intervention,” he said, adding, though police act when such cases are reported to them, it is important for Goa tourism to have police deployed at beaches and at other important tourist places for surveillance.
He said the scene at Calangute beach during the holiday season and on weekends is chaotic, with only people visible everywhere.
“Certainly, we need more cops to be posted there, rather than just three to four performing their duty,” he added.
