Panaji, July 24 (PTI) Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar today said that local culture would be protected during promotion of tourism.

Responding to the Cut Motions moved by the Opposition on Demands of Grants for tourism department in the Assembly, Ajgaonkar said that upcoming Tourism Policy will ensure that the Goan culture is left untouched while inviting the tourists to the beach destination.

"Even while drafting the policy and during its implementation, we will preserve the Goan culture. We will not allow the culture of the state to be touched," the minister told the House.

Ajgaonkar said the tourism policy will focus on promoting the hinterland.

Tourism in Sattari, Pernem, Dharbandora, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona talukas would be promoted in a big way, the minister said.

"We are preparing a tourism master plan. We will announce the tourism policy soon. We will take all the stake-holders and experts of the tourism sector into confidence," the minister stated.

Talking about deaths due to drowning, Ajgaonkar said a few tourists go into sea unheeding warnings and lose their lives.

He said the lifeguard agency which has been deputed on the shoreline has been doing a good job of saving lives. PTI

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