Marinas at Naushi, Chicalim and Britona in draft masterplan

PANAJI: To promote marine tourism and watersports activities in the state, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Friday offered to help create a roadmap for nautical tourism.

CII organised a seminar where stakeholders said that nautical tourism could not only diversify Goa's tourism sector but also create suitable employment opportunities.

Speaking at the CII seminar on nautical tourism, former chairperson of CII Goa, Kirit Maganlal said, "CII aims for inclusive growth which involves local communities and stakeholders while also focusing on ease of doing business."

He added that the state needs to identify infrastructure requirements and policies that could facilitate growth of the sector after considering environmental concerns and economic benefits.

Secretary for tourism Sheo Pratap Singh, who also spoke at the seminar, said that the tourism masterplan for the state had acknowledged the potential of marine tourism.

"In the draft masterplan, this aspect has been extensively discussed, and three locations have been identified as potential locations for marinas. These are Nauxi, Chicalim and Britona," Singh said.

The Investment Promotion Board has given an in-principle approval for the setting up of two marinas along the banks of the Zuari, but the projects have failed to obtain regulatory approvals. Fishermen and environmentalists have expressed concerns over the impact of the projects.