THE argument that frequent shuffling of directors of tourism tells poorly on the performance of the department is valid but at the same time not entirely correct.

We ought not to forget that governance is a continuous system. Executives change but it is the broader policy framework that guides the functioning of the government. In the case of the tourism department too, the director undoubtedly should be an imaginative person but basically he has to implement the policies and programmes chalked out by the government. Let us take the case of setting up world class tourism infrastructure. The government has been reiterating this scheme at regular intervals but it has failed to move forward. The reason is the government has not been quite serious about this scheme. Once the programme is cleared at the government level, whoever is the director, his task is to implement it. In fact the successive directors should be held responsible for non-implementation of schemes like Heritage House and formation of Tourist Security Force. It is beyond comprehension how the government could ignore that tourism has been the mainstay of the state’s economy and should be given a major thrust. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India report for 2005-06 had indicted the government for its criminal neglect of the interests of the tourism industry and tourists. It has often been noticed that the board of directors of Goa Tourism Development Corporation ignores the schemes which are already in hand and strives for projects which would consume time. Sometime back the GTDC had decided to hire a consultant for creating world class infrastructure for promoting hinterland, education, adventure and other tourism products at a cost of Rs 500 crore. But the latest Economy Survey 2009-10 reported that 14 infrastructure development projects were waiting completion. Development of tourism is a key concern of the state’s economy. The GTDC and the government should put their heads together and work for sustainable development of tourism. No doubt the government should allow some time to the director to settle down, but the director must see to it that the task assigned is undertaken within the stipulated  time frame for giving a boost to the tourism industry.