India News | Goa to Explore New International Markets to Attract Tourists: Minister Khaunte

Panaji, Jul 15 (PTI) The Goa tourism department wants to explore new international markets such as South Korea and western Europe to attract high-spending tourists to the beach destination, state Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Friday.

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Speaking to reporters, the state tourism minister said a public relation agency will soon be roped in to explore newer international markets.

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At present, Goa largely dependents on the UK and Russia for international foot falls, he said.

"If there are any issues in these markets, the international arrivals to the state drop and we need to work on this situation," he said.

Khaunte said that the department will soon be exploring newer markets such as South Korea and Western Europe.

The minister also welcomed the Goa police's action asking its personnel to stop vehicles only if there is a visible traffic violation.

There were complaints about harassment of tourists by the traffic police in the state, he said.

"During my first meeting with the director general of police, I had raised this issue of harassment of tourists by the police," he said, thanking Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for taking prompt action on the issue.

Tourists arriving here should always go back with good memories, he said, adding that the state government will now act against touts and businesses operating without permission.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)