Goa should have new international airport to boost its brandname

Panaji, Oct 30 (UNI) Canada's High Commissioner in India David M Malone has favoured a second major international airport in Goa with direct flights from different destination across the world to meet the global standards that further boost its tourisism brand image.

''Goa has carved itself as a global brand name for tourism and hospitality industry. This gets further boost if it has a new big international airport that could receive flights directly from all global destinations. The existing military airport is very small to the do the job and needs further expansion besides having a new big international airport,'' he said.

Interacting with the members of the Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) here this evening along with the Mumbai-based Canadian Consul General Gary Luton, the foreign dignitory favoured diversification of the tourism industry into much-paying medical tourism.

Reverses in tourism could happen anytime and anybody as it did at many countries and so in Goa which of course had gained its brand name as its huge asset unlike Canada, he said.

''I am happy as a tourist in Goa in particular and India in General. The 'incredible India' campaign by the Indian Tourism Department had generated interest incredibly. But at the sametime, tourism required upgradation of facilities at all places,'' Mr Malone noted.

Tourism should be more enjoyable providing the customer with cost advantage in this highly competitive world if India's success story and growth should continue for long, he said.

He assured the Chamber that he would appraise the Canadian enterprises and trade on his return to Canada this year end so that joint ventures and investments in Goa could be explored through exchange of delegations.

Goa could tremendously benefit if it further offered quality ''vacational medical services'' and can partner with Canada in this regard. Investment partners in Canada for ventures with Goa could be explored, he said.

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