PANJIM, FEB 23 
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has asked the State government to constitute a Goa Tourism Board (GTB) to promote Goa as a tourist destination in a better way.
In a presentation made at the pre-Goa budget meeting, which was chaired by the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, TTAG President Ralph de Souza said the GTB should consists of members from the government, the trade and professionals with proven track record in hospitality industry.
“This board should look after short and long term planning in bringing a strong tourism policy, which is suited to Goa,” de Souza said adding, “it should also be involved in selection of market destination and promoting Goa in these markets.”
“GTB should be an autonomous body created by an Act of legislature with fiscal powers,” he said.
De Souza said that such a body is needed as every top tourist destination in the world has an independent board like this which is focussed on tourism.
“If we have this in place we can prosper in big way and way suitable for Goa,” he said.
In other suggestions made, the TTAG also asked for additional budgetary allocation for the proposed Tourist Security Force.
“We want the government to extend the hours of patrolling on beaches till midnight for which extra funds will be required,” he said.
Secondly, D’Souza said, “more funds are also needed to promote new market to which now Goa is connected through schedule airlines and also to consolidate the old market.
“…the third and main point is to insist as far as possible for the installation of garbage processing unit,” he added.
Apart from this Goa also needs to develop tourism related infrastructure, he said adding “we need a marina as lots of sailors want to come to state while they are passing. We also do not have a cruise berth.”
Since we are promoting hinterland, he said, enough provision needs to be done to protect the ecologically sensitive areas heritage monuments and Goan village and culture.
The TTAG was basically happy with the tax structure for the industry as the Central government had announced concession by rationalising VAT and other taxes etc for the industry, sources stated.