City
Epaper

Goa tourism slowdown due to dip in economy: NK Singh

By IANS | Updated: January 24, 2020 16:45 IST

Slowdown in Goa's tourism industry is on account of the general slowdown of the economy and pressure from upcoming competitive destinations, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission N.K. Singh said on Friday.

Open in App

Addressing a press conference in Panaji, after meeting a cross section of political, social, professional and business groups over the last two days, Singh also said Goa needed to address the issue of a huge floating population, which is putting a strain on the state's infrastructure.

"Goa's tourism potential is talked about greatly. But fact remains, that we have been given data that this tourist potential has gone down in the last two years," Singh said.

"I think partly it is on account of global factors. There has been general slowdown in the economy. Also, because other competing destinations have also come up and I think it is natural that the market forces will keep taking people to more competitive destinations," Singh said.

The Finance Commission Chief also said Goa should tap its beaches, which are already popular with tourists, for generating renewable energy like solar, wind and tidal.

He also addressed the issue of high density of migrant population in the coastal state whose tourist and migrant population outnumbers the resident population of 1.5 million during his interaction with the media in Panaji on Friday.

"Goa has a high density of migrant population. I hope that all this migrant population are reckoned in the next round of census. There is a huge floating population. This puts a strain on the infrastructure in terms of facilities, urban facilities and so on. What is to be done of the floating population deserves priority and attention," Singh said.

The Goa government has sought in access of Rs 1,000 crore from the 15th Finance Commission, which includes a special package for those dependent on the mining industry which has come to a standstill following a Supreme Court ban in 2018.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: singhpanajiSupreme Court
Open in App

Related Stories

CricketSupreme Court Refuses to Cancel India vs Pakistan Match in Asia Cup 2025

BusinessVodafone Idea Shares Surge Second Day In a Row After Telecom Company Approach SC Over AGR Dues

EntertainmentSamay Raina’s Mumbai Show: 25,000 Fans Attend Stand-Up Comedian’s Performance Months After India’s Got Talent Controversy

NationalSupreme Court Asks Comedians Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Ghai, Nishant Tanwar, and Sonali Thakkar To Apologize for Cracking Insensitive Jokes on Disabilities

National'Release of Sterilised Stray Dogs, Aggressive Ones to Remain in Cages': Supreme Court

National Realted Stories

NationalSchools closed till Sep 14, Internet suspended in J&K's Doda amid protests against MLA's arrest

NationalKerala HC clears Global Ayyappa Sangamam

NationalMade in Myanmar: BJP targets Rahul Gandhi, Congress over 'vote-theft' PDFs

NationalMauritius has benefitted from India's generous assistance and expertise in key sectors: Ramgoolam

NationalWill run more parcel trains for Kashmir Apple growers if needed: Indian Railways