Draft Material for  Annual Administration Report for the Year 2012-13

Introduction:The Department of Tourism is headed by a Director who also functions as the Joint Secretary to the Government. He reports to the Secretary (Tourism). Besides being involved in policy formulation, planning and development of basic infrastructure, promotion, publicity and marketing of Goa as a prime tourist destination, both within the country and abroad, the Director of Tourism also exercises the statutory powers of the “Prescribed Authority” under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 and as the “Competent Authority” under the Goa Tourist Places (Protection & Maintenance) Act, 2001.

The Director is assisted by three Deputy Directors, four Assistant Directors, OSD & AAO who are in charge of following sections:

  1. Planning Section: To look after the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects relating to touristic importance undertaken by the Department.  One Statistical Assistant is deputed from the Planning, Statistics & Evaluation Department under this Section to look after all the statistical as well as plan matters relating to the Department.  Similarly one Surveyor has been deputed from DSLR, under this section to look after the re-survey / re-demarcation of the landed properties of this Department. He also performs duties in Revenue Section.
  2. Revenue Section: To look after maintenance & cleanliness of beaches, beach safety, permissions for setting up of temporary shacks, maintenance of infrastructure at tourist spots.  Also to look after court matters pertaining to the Department, leases of Departmental properties as well as mutation of the properties of the Department. This Section also looks after the implementation of the Goa Tourist Places (Protection & Maintenance) Act 2001.
  3. Information Section: To look after the production of tourist publicity material literature, , dissemination of tourist information and distribution of tourist literatures through various centers and counters within Goa organization of  festivals within Goa and other parts of India, besides tapping other high-end tourist generating markets overseas.
  4. Trade Section: To look after the implementation and administration of the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982, under which each and every activity such as accommodation, tours and travels, tourist transport, guides, porters and notified goods like handicrafts, curios etc. have to be necessarily registered with the Department and registration once made renewed annually. For the convenience of the hotels & travel trade, the Department has set up two Zonal Offices, one each at Mapusa and Margao.
  5. Accounts Section: The Section Head, who is the Assistant Accounts Officer and an Accountant, both are deputed from the Directorate of Accounts and are assisted by clerical staff from this Department.

In addition, the Government has deputed one S.L.A.O with specific responsibility of handling land acquisition matters of the Department.

2. Organizational chart of the Department: The Department of Tourism is headed by a Director. He is assisted by 3 Deputy Directors, 4 Assistant Directors, OSD and one Assistant Accounts Officer. The Department has 2 branch offices at North and South Goa headed by an Assistant Tourist Officer. The total strength of the Department is 192 nos. Organization Chart is attached.

3. Functions and Duties carried out by the Department: The main functions of the Department involves, dissemination of tourist information and guidance to tourists, control, regulate and co-ordinate hotels and travel trade activities and to provide tourist facilities and amenities.

The Director of Tourism exercise statutory powers as the Prescribed Authority under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982, he is also the Competent Authority under the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001. Notification is issued wherein Magisterial power vested with Assistant Directors to confisticate / demolished un authorized material dumped at public / tourist places within 500 mtrs. of High Tide Land.

4. Acts and Regulations implemented by the Department: Fees for registration of various activities under Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 is being enhanced. Proposal is already moved for suitable amendment to the Act. Further guidelines are being formulated for bringing the activity of bar and restaurant/pub/restaurant etc. under the ambit of the Act.

5. Physical Achievements of the Department: HML installed near Head Post Office, St.Tome Chapel &    Tobacco Square, Panaji and HML installed near St. Cruz Church Complex, St. Cruz.

The works of Information Plaza at Patto, Upgradation/Construction of Jetty at Patto, Multilevel Car Parking Project at Patto, Baga Coastal Circuit, Toilet Block at Calangute and Beautification of Bandodkar Statue at Calangute are in progress.

The Department has published tenders for integrated scientific cleaning of Goan beaches with comprehensive garbage collection and disposal of Garbage.

  • Construction of toilet complex near Shree Chandreshwar  Bhutnath temple, Parvat, Paroda is in progress.
  • Pathway to Jetty, Panaji, completed.
  • Construction of toilet complex at Collem near completion.
  • Open Bus Parking, Panaji, completed.
  • All State Tourism Complex, Merces.
  • Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology at Farmagudi, Ponda-Goa.
  • Construction of Convention Centre at Fatorda, Margao
  • Beautification of Harvalem Waterfall in Sanquelim has been completed.
  • High Mast Light, one each at (1) Davorlim Junction at Aquem Margao (2) Bolshe Circle, Gogal (3) Konkan Railway Junction (4) Holy Spirit Church, Borda and  (5) Fatorda Junction.
  • 2 Nos. High Mast Lights one each at Cavelossim and Zalor beach.
  • 9 Nos. of 4 arms lights at various beaches of Benaulim Coastline.
  • 1 No. High Mast Light at Sirlim.
  • 4 Nos. of 4 arms lights at Dramapur in Velim Constituency.
  • Approved 3 High Mast Lights. Being two in Velim Constituency and one at Patto- Rinbandar.
  • Government has administratively approved & financially sanctioned aesthetic façade illumination of Sai Mandir at Dadachi Wadi.
  • Aesthetic façade illumination of Gajantlaxmi Temple at Volvoi in Ponda –Taluka.

6. “M. V. River Princess”: On receiving the permissions/NOC from various Government Agencies/ Authorities for removal of the vessel “M. V. “River Princess” a letter was addressed to the Asst. Commissioner in a prescribed format alongwith the required enclosures in duplicate confirming the permissions/no objection received from the various departments with respect to removal of the vessel. A Note on the present condition of the vessel alongwith quantity and value of scrap cleared and quantity of scrap remaining was also submitted as per their requirements.

In response to the Tender Notice, the Department received 2 requests i.e. from Praka Engineering, Vasco da Gama, and from M/s Samraat Marine Services, Vasco da Gama for tender document. Meantime, Department issued corrigendum informing that the opening of the tender document fixed on17/6/2013 at 4.30 p.m. is postponed as the Government has decided to constitute a Sub-Committee in order to inspect the landing space and recommend its suitability to the Government.

A –  General Beach Cleaning: This Department engaged the services of Private Contractors towards the Cleaning of Beach areas, parking areas, nearby environment roads, access through the beach by removal of organic and inorganic wastes, disposal and maintaining the cleanliness on the beach stretches and also cleaning the parking areas/ approach roads/access to the beaches (about 50 mts.) from the beach. Presently the work of beach cleaning is carried out on the following beach stretches at N-2 – Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim Beach Stretches, N-3 – Vagator, Vozrant, Anjuna Beach Stretches, N-4 – Baga to Sinquerim & Nerul Beach Stretches, N-5 – Miramar, Caranzalem, Bambolim, Siridao Beach Stretches, S-1 – Baina, Bogmalo Beach, S-2 – Velsao, Arrosim, Utorda, Majorda Beach Stretches, S-3 – Sernabatim, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim Beach Stretches, S-4 – Zalor, Fatrade, Varca, Cavelossim Beach Stretches, S-5 – Agonda, Palolem, Patnem, Rajbag, Talpona, Galgibaga Beach Stretches.

B-Beach Shacks: During the tourist season 2012-13, 330 shacks have been allotted i.e. (in North Goa 236 and South Goa 94) on identified beaches. Deck beds umbrella are being permitted on beaches. Department has also permitted to place 15 pairs of deck beds & Umbrellas to each shack allottee infront of their respective shacks in addition  Department permitted unemployed youth 8 Deckhead & umbrella and for hotelier 12 Deckhead & umbrella. This Department has also issued 269 nos. NOCs for erection of temporary shacks (in North 116 & in South 153) and 282 nos. NOCs for erection of temporary Structures/Huts in private properties.

C-Beach Safety: The work of development, deployment, management and operation of a water safety patrol almost throughout the coastline with State of Art facilities in the coastal waters of the State of Goa on turn key basis is in operation through M/s DRISHTI RESPONSE SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED, Dona Paula. The period of Water Safety Patrol contract has been extended till 31/07/2013.

Promotional Media Campaign: The Department carried out aggressive media campaign in India and abroad through print and electronic media. As part of the promotional activity, the Department has participated in various tourism related events in India and abroad with P.R. Agency & Brand Consultant.

The Department has published and distributed print and electronic publicity material on Goa to tourists and prospective visitors, especially during various promotional activities carried out by the Department in India and overseas.

New Accommodation Capacity: During the financial year 2012-13, 61 new accommodation units (hotels) have been registered. The room capacity has increased from 26322 to 27247 and the bed capacity from 48423 to 49716.

New Tourism Service Provides: New travel agencies, tourist taxis & tourist boats have been registered during the   financial year, 2012-13.

Charter Flights: During the tourist season 2012-13 996 Charter flights has brought in 2,15,304 foreign tourists as against 910 charter flights  bringing 1,69,006 foreign  tourist during the previous season.

Financial Aspects: The Department has achieved plan expenditure of Rs. 4078.32 lakhs, during the year 2012-13 as against the outlay of Rs.35199.98 lakhs. Likewise, the Non- Plan expenditure incurred during the same year is Rs.577.12 lakhs as against an outlay of Rs.931.00 lakhs.

For the financial year 2013-14, the Budget Estimates for Plan Outlays Rs.14597.00  lakhs, while the Non-Plan outlay is Rs.800.00 lakhs.

 

 Demand No. Major Head/Sub-Head/Schemes

Budgeted Outlay

2013-14

(in lakhs)

1 2 3
Demand no. 78 14597.00
3452-Tourism 3623.00
04.Beautification of Places of Tourist interest( Plan) 180.00
01. Women & Child Gender  Development 0.00
03. Tourist Establishments(Plan) 600.00
04.  Traditional Festival Programmes (Plan) 1.00
05. Disposal of Garbage 300.00
06.Participation in International Travel Markets 1.00
07.Tourist Information and Facilitation centres (Plan) 100.00
08. Maintenance of Historical building Monuments of tourist Importance 20.00
09. Hospitality and entertainment expenses 1.00
10.Promotion of tourism through information Technology 35.00
11. Asstt. to Goa Heritage House Tourism Scheme 81.00
15. Grants to  GTDC (Plan) 2000.00
16. Amenities at beaches (Plan) 1.00
17.Entertainment  Infrastructure Facilities (Plan) 1.00
18.Grants for Country Side Tourism (Plan) 101.00
19.Helicopter Tourism (Plan) 100.00
20.Organization of Heritage Festival 1.00
01.Scheduled Tribe Dev. Plan 100.00
5452- Capital Outlay in Tourism 10874.00
01.Tourist Centres 350.00
03. Special problem- Roads in tourism circuits 54.00
04.International Dev. of Infrastructure for Heritage and Hinterland Tourism –Mega Project (P) (A) 1.00
05. Sunset Cruise (Plan) 1.00
06. Infrastructure Development in Clusters (Plan) 1.00
01. Investment in Tourism Development Corporation 1.00
01. Beach Safety Management (Plan) 0.00
50. Other Charges 1.00
52. Machinery & Equipment (Plan) 1.00
53.Major works 2400.00
02.Establichment charges transferred from  2059 PWD 2.00
03.Tools and plant charges transferred from 2059, PWD 1.00
04. Other works (Plan) 10.00
06.Development of Baina Beach  Beautification (Plan) 50.00
07.Removal of M.V. River Princess 1.00
09. Contribution to GTDC (SPV) for Tourism Infrastructure Development 8000.00
7452- Loan for Tourism 100.00
02. Loan assistance to Goa Heritage House-Tourism Schme 50.00
04. Loan to GTDC for infrastructure Development 50.00

7. Vision for Future: – Upgradation/renovation of the street lighting from Saligao Church in Saligao to Calangute Church in Calangute.

  • Upgradation of street lighting at Baina Beach.
  • Upgradation/renovation of the street lighting from Saligao Seminary to Pilerne Junction.
  • Upgradation of illumination system from Cortalim junction to Dabolim airport.
  • There is lot of demand for skilled and unskilled manpower in hotel industry, however due to lack of Institutes in training them; the Government could not cater to the needs of hotel industry.  Second Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology at Farmagudi is therefore proposed to be set up in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, New Delhi. Drawings of the projects have been approved by the Town and Country Planning Department. Tendering process may start next month.
  • Presently, there are no proper conferencing facilities in the Government sector. Inorder to fill this lacunae and to attract MICE segment of tourists, Department has decided to construct Mini Convention Centre at Fatorda, about half a kilometer from KTC bus stand, Margao in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, New Delhi. Project will be put to tender soon.
  • Department is also developing Colva Coastal Circuit, Baga Coastal  Circuit, Miramar Coastal Circuit in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, New Delhi. Facilities in the form of Interpretation Centres, cafeteria, promenade, seating arrangements, viewing tower etc. are proposed in these circuits.
  • In order to provide job opportunities to the unemployed youth, Department will conduct tourist guide training course. It is likely to start from August 2013.
  • Department has finalized panel of Project Management Consultants under A category while the process of finalizing panel of Project Management Consultants under B category is nearing completion. Department has acquired landed properties at strategic locations of touristic importance. With the due procedures, these consultants will be asked to give their valuable ideas in developing the properties for meeting the requirement of tourists.
  • Department has published Expression of Interest inviting world class consultants for preparation of Master Plan and new/revised Tourism Policy for the State of Goa. 15 Consultants have submitted their pre-bid offers. The Consultant will also recommend appropriate measures to set up Tourism Promotion Board. Finally four parties have submitted their offer & the same are under scrutiny.
  • Heli tourism, amphibian aircraft, floatel will soon turn into reality and likely to be functional from the next tourist season.
  • Department is proposing to participate in National and International events for promoting tourism so also awareness about Goa Tourism will also be spread by advertisement through Print and Electronic media in India and aboard, though G.T.D.C. Ltd. which has been designated as S.P.V.
  • Land Acquisitions proposals at Mapusa, Bogmalo, Churchorem, Pilerne, Palolem, Velsao for providing touristic facilities.
  • The Government has designated GTDC as SPV for development of tourism infrastructure and organizing of all promotional activities. This will enable faster completion of projects (both State and Centrally sponsored) pertaining to tourism infrastructure.
  • Idle and un-utilized properties of Department of Tourism and GTDC are proposed to be developed for creating world class tourist facilities like Marinas, Convention Centre, Theme Parks so as to generate jobs revenue and promote Goa as a high end tourist destination, by attracting private investments.
  • Some properties will be developed for creating of tourist infrastructure by spending State/ Central Funds.