Known as the poor man’s Hawaii in the international tourism circuit, Goa, one of the most well-known beach tourism destinations in the country, may soon climb up a notch vis-à-vis comparisons to the sunny US island State, also known for its beaches and tropical beauty.
Goa Chief Minister laxmikant Parsekar told The Pioneer on Thursday that Goa will soon be regarded as a sister-State to Hawaii, thanks to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to the effect which will be signed with the US authorities soon. “We have held discussions about collaboration in other areas like promotion of trade, tourism, sports, pharma, yoga, ayurveda and Hawaiian products, wellness techniques and academics. The exchange will be mutual,” Parsekar said.
The Chief Minister also said that a MoU, which recognises Goa as a sister State to Hawaii was formally finalised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition Cabinet earlier on Thursday.
The process to club Goa as a sister State to Hawaii was started two years back, when US Congresswoman from Hawaii Tulsi Gabbard visited the State and broached the concept. Gabbard was visiting India on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Gabbard is one of the few practicing Hindu lawmakers in the United States of America, but is of Samoan origin. She continued with practicing of the Hindu religion after her mother, who is a practicing Hindu.
After an initial discussion which Parsekar had with Gabbard, the State Art and Culture Ministry had been entrusted with the responsibility of drafting the MoU, after consultation with Gabbard.
“We have already approached the Union Ministry for External Affairs, which in touch with the US foreign Ministry and the authorities in Hawaii,” Parsekar said.
“While the Cabinet has formally approved the memorandum, the actual signing of the document will be held at a later date,” Parsekar also said.
Hawaii currently maintains a sister-State relationship with 13 States across the world which includes top tourism destinations like Bali in Indonesia, the coastal Moroccan State of Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër, among other States.