‘PM Modi will allow Goa to host one G-20 summit event’

PANAJI: Goa will host one event of the G20 summit in 2023, chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured to host one G-20 summit event in the state following his request.
The G20 summit is likely to be held in India in 2023, after India takes over the presidency of G-20 in December 2022. The events have not been decided. A G-20 event in Goa, will be the third major international event in the state after Chogm (1983) and Brics (2016).
Following both the international events, the state witnessed a spike in foreign tourist footfalls.
“Post Covid-19, the state has emerged as one of the best tourist destinations in the country for domestic and international tourists and a G-20 event will give it a further boost,” he said.
Sawant had met the PM in New Delhi on Friday.
After ‘Har ghar jal’, Goa will be the first state to have “har ghar fiber (internet) connection”, the CM said after launching online tourism registration services for ease of doing business in the tourism sector. He said that registration with the government will have double-benefit for the tourism industry — first it will be registered and second, the state will advertise the business on its website.
“With this nobody will be able to do illegal business in the tourism sector and the tourism department with the help of other departments like police and excise will act against any illegal tourism activities in the state,” the CM said.
Sawant said that the state government will launch paid public transport for tourists so that they can visit hinterland tourist places. “Tourists can avail paid tourist public transport on Saturday and Sunday to explore the hinterland of the state. Still our sanctuaries have not been explored. We also have to promote monsoon tourism,” he said.
Stating that Goa should become the tourism capital of India, Sawant said there was a need for tourism stakeholders to come online.
“It is not only the hotel industry, but those into adventure sports or tourist guides should also come online to make Goa the tourist capital of India. It is not only the government's job, but all tourism stakeholders should also cooperate to achieve the target.”
Sawant said that if the hotel industry comes onboard with the government, then the state can organise big events and conventions. He said that if we keep Goa green and clean, then only the state will witness tourists in large numbers.
Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said that the online tourism registration services has been launched to ease the difficulties faced by tourism stakeholders. Hotels, guest houses, home stays, travel agents, spice plantations and shacks in private properties among others, have to apply online, he said.
“Within the stipulated time under the right to time-bound service act if a certificate is not issued online, then it would be considered as deemed approval. The department has to take responsibility for ensuring that timely deliveries are met,” Khaunte said.