Director of tourism for Goa, Swapnil Naik has underscored the need to focus on eco-tourism and other neglected areas having potential for tourist attraction with a view to bring about uniform development of Goa as per a report in the TOI.

Speaking at the concluding session of the Indo-French seminar on sustainable development held recently at Cansaulim in South Goa, Naik said Goa will seek expertise from France while venturing into new areas of tourism. ''So far Goa has focussed mainly on development of beach tourism. This focus on only a small strip of land has led to over-developement of a small area, while rest of the areas have lagged behind. There's therefore a need to extend our focus to eco-tourism and other areas (to avoid lop-sided development),'' Naik said.

Speaking further, Naik identified two areas - rapid transport system and solid waste treatment - to work in close co-operation with France 'in a time-bound agenda.' Rapid transport system, Naik stressed, was necessary for the state to cope with the rise in the number of tourists and the domestic population, while advances in modern technology could help in taking care of the solid waste management in the state. He also called upon France to help in promoting Goa as a tourist destination in that country.

Gaurish Dhond, president of the tours and travels association of Goa, addressing the gathering, suggested various areas for co-operation between the two countries. He stressed the need to make visa facilities between India and France easier and introduction of special promotional air fare between the two countries.

Catherine Oden, director, Atout France, also suggested several avenues for Indo-French co-operation. Atout France is the sole national entity in charge of development of travel trade for France.

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