The Government of Goa is planning to launch an online portal to give a push to the state's tourism sector. The move is expected to rescue the hospitality sector as well, while also pushing the ease of doing business in the state. As per the plan, the state government, through a new portal, will bring all small hospitality industry players on one portal and boost the ease of doing business in the tourism sector.

Speaking at the CII annual tourism virtual summit, Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Goa, said, “Goa has launched a new state tourism policy which will help the government push the systematic development of the sector. This policy has been framed to offer the unique Goan experience to the visitors by presenting a mix of holistic, natural and cultural locations and attractions.”

According to Sawant, the new state-wide digital offering for the tourism sector will not just bring most of the government approvals online, but will also fast track various approval processes. “This policy will be the backbone for crucial decisions related to planning, development and marketing. Goa is also working on creating a robust system where small hospitality players can be brought under a single portal to help boost ease of doing business,” the CM said.

The Goa government has also released its Tourism Policy Dashboard, a document focussing on strategies to revive tourism in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to this dashboard, the state government needs to promote water sports as well as create tourism-related infrastructure in areas that are popular with tourists visiting the state.

“For Goa, there is a need to have jetties to encourage water sports and other basic amenities such as waiting halls and parking facilities at tourist places in the state,” as per the tourism document note.

With nearly 8 million tourists visiting the coastal state every year, Goa is among the top tourism destinations in India.