Portugal is one of the major destination every Goan looks forward to reaching because Portugal is a door to the rest of EU (European Union) Countries for the Goans. As per the records, more than 40,000 Goans suppose to have registered their births in Portugal and more than double of that had already settled in Portugal and other EU countries. The blessings of the dual citizenship were bestowed upon the Goans by Portuguese before leaving this tiny state in the hands of India and every eligible Goan wants to take the advantage of the available privilege. In one such effort the discussions have reached the final stage of bearing fruits and once that is done, the Goa will get connected to Portugal by direct flight.
According to the sources, the new development came into existence after the recent visit of a Portugal Prime Minister to Goa. The Portugal Prime Minister Mr. Antonio Costa is a Goan by origin and he is the first Goan to reach up to that height in Portugal. It may be recalled that in the month of January, the Portugal Prime Minister had visited Goa which opened the doors of Portugal more wider for the Goans.
According to the reports published in a national daily, The Times of India, Subsequent to the visit of Portugal Prime Minister Mr. Antonio D’Costa to Goa, a delegation from Portugal held closed-door discussions with outgoing tourism minister Dilip Parulekar and local tourism authorities to encourage tourism between the two states. The main topic of discussion was the tourism tie-up between the Goa and Portugal. The purpose of the tie-up is said to be the Goan investment into the Portugal tourism industry.
According to the sources, To promote Goan investment into Portugal’s economy, Portugal has offered special incentives for Goans investing in Portugal. Portugal is offering multiple-entry visas for those who invest in the tourism and medical sector in their country. The Portuguese minister of state for tourism Ana Mendes Godinho along with a delegation from the Portuguese Association for Tourism arrived from Mumbai for a two-day visit to Goa to boost cultural and tourism exchange.
The sources have said that there is a possibility of the direct flights between Goa and Portugal once the discussion gets the seal of confirmation. “The possibility of direct flights was discussed. Having direct flights between Portugal and Goa would not only bring both the two entities closer but will also help tourists from other European Union countries,” an official who was part of the delegation said.
According to the sources, during an hour-long discussion, the two ministers discussed easier visa facilitation norms to encourage tourists from Goa and from Portugal. Godinho also met Goa Tourism Development Corporation officials and the director of tourism to discuss areas of cooperation. A brief meeting with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) was also held.
The Portugal Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, who traces his roots to Margao was in Goa on a three-day official visit to the state in the month of January and made a strong push for Goa and Portugal to explore collaboration in tourism and preservation of culture. Costa also met with Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar during his visit. To take Costa’s initial discussions ahead, minister-level discussions were planned, sources said. “Portugal has given its suggestions and we will study them and based on the discussions, a delegation from Goa may go to Portugal,” TTAG president Savio Messias said.
The sources have confirmed that possibility of the discussion getting fruitful and soon the doors of Portugal will open for the Goans. Portugal economy is said to be in a bad condition and it needs the investment from the India. Goans have a capacity of investing in that country and once the formal treaty is made the business will start between two countries which will also benefit the state. The Goan tourism industry needs the boom and association with Portugal might result in the positive impact on it.
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