Tourism corporation to shift new activities to South Goa

PANAJI: After opposition to certain new tourism activities in north Goa that were introduced during the last two tourist seasons, Goa tourism development corporation (GTDC) wants to move them to South Goa.
Motorized paragliding is one such activity. Introduced at Mandrem beach in 2016, it was halted following objections from local residents. GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral said they now plan to introduce motorized paragliding at Quitol, Quepem, at the location used for conducting Defexpo 2016.
“If all goes well, we will start it from this season itself. I’m already in touch with the opposition leader and Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kavalekar,” said Cabral.
The GTDC chairman said there is a lot of scope for developing Sanguem and Quepem as ecotourism hubs. Shri Chandranath Bhoothnath Temple, situated on the 350m-high Chandranath hill at Paroda, Quepem, has been drawing tourists, as also the botanical garden in Sanguem taluka.
Cabral said Curchorem needs to be developed in terms of tourism as it serves as an entry point and has a railway station that serves the other two talukas. Asked if tourism services will gain popularity if launched in the south, Cabral said, “Certainly, there is a scope. If we offer a bunch of services located in three talukas, why wouldn’t tourists visit these locations?”
GTDC has already earmarked Rs 25 crore for developing infrastructure facilities in the three talukas. Cabral said he has been pushing for tourism services to be located in south Goa, for there is repeated opposition for their services in north Goa. “They (opposition in north Goa) will realize their folly after tourism dies there,” said Cabral.
The hot air ballooning service which was launched from Calangute two seasons ago, was shifted to Curchorem, Cabral’s constituency, after some villagers opposed the activity. “The initial response was weak, but the service picked up subsequently,” said Cabral.
The helicopter service was shifted to South Goa after Calangute locals opposed it as soon as it was launched at the Fort Aguada helipad in January 2016. But, despite announcements last season, GTDC was unable to kickstart the rides even as it planned to relocate the service to North Goa.