Goa will play important role in reviving India’s tourism sector: PM Narendra Modi

PANAJI: PM Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the Union government is giving priority to tourist states for vaccination, and that Goa would play an important role in reviving the country’s tourism sector.
He also said that the Union government would provide free visas to 5 lakh international tourists, to boost tourism. Calling Goa a state of boundless possibilities, he said that “Goa is not just a state of the country but a strong marker of Brand India”.
Modi praised healthcare workers and beneficiaries of the Covid vaccination programme in Goa, which “completed 100% coverage of the first dose” to the eligible population.He was interacting with them to mark the state’s completion of that milestone.
The PM also said that the Union government would take all steps to promote tourism in the country. He also said that the “double-engine government” is powering efforts to make the Goan tourism sector more attractive, as well as to give more facilities to the state’s farmers and fishermen.
Modi said it is important that Goa has administered the first dose to 100% of the eligible population, stating that when hotel employees, taxi drivers and shopkeepers are vaccinated, tourists will come to Goa with a sense of safety.
“This is a major milestone in the fight against coronavirus,” he said.
“Every achievement of Goa that epitomises the concept of Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat fills me with great joy.”
The PM said that he hopes that in the upcoming tourism season that starts next month, Goa gets the “same amount of tourists and international tourists”.
Meanwhile, Modi said that even though there is a decrease in Covid’s spread, precautions are still a must. “The maximum (more) we focus on safety and hygiene, the more tourists will come to Goa,” he said.
The PM remarked that over the past few months, Goa has fought natural calamities like heavy rains, cyclones and floods bravely, adding that under the leadership of CM Pramod Sawant, the state has fought bravely. “I congratulate Sawant and his team,” he said, adding his congratulations to corona warriors, health workers and Team Goa for maintaining the pace of vaccination amidst natural calamities.
He also commended the state’s coordination in dealing with social and geographical challenges. The pace in Canacona, for instance, located in one of the remotest parts of the state, has set an example for the rest of the state, he said. “Goa has shown great results of sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas and sabka prayas,” he said.
Meanwhile, a day after India administered a record 2.5 crore doses on his birthday, Modi praised the compassion, service and sense of duty of healthcare teams and the people. “I have seen many birthdays, and have always been indifferent to that but, in all my years, yesterday (Friday) was a day that made me deeply emotional,” he said, adding that it was made extra special by the efforts of the country and corona warriors.
“Everyone cooperated fully, people connected this with service,” he said. “It was their compassion and duty that made this feat of 2.5 crore doses in a day possible,” he said.
Elaborating on the Centre’s decision to prioritise tourism destinations for vaccination, Modi said this was not talked about earlier. “It was important for our tourism destinations to open,” he said. “The Central government has also recently taken several steps to encourage foreign tourists. It has been decided to give free visas to 5 lakh tourists visiting India, loan up to Rs 10 lakh with government guarantee to tourism stakeholders and loan up to Rs 1 lakh for registered tourist guides.”
He also said that Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Chandigarh and Lakshadweep have completed administering the first dose for the eligible population. Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar islands, Kerala, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Dadra and Nagar Haveli are not far behind, he added.
On the state government, Modi said that the new Zuari bridge between North and South Goa would be inaugurated in a few months and will enhance connectivity in the state. He also lauded the state for various other schemes like har ghar jal, PM kisan samman nidhi, expansion of kisan credit cards and Svanidhi scheme for street vendors.