Goa International Travel Mart (GITM) was supposed to have a knowledge session on LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) tourism, a trend which is emerging on the international tourism scene.
However, Tourism Minister Nilkant Halarnkar told that the session has been dropped respecting the people's sentiments. "We will not have the knowledge session on the issue as it may not go down well with many people."
His statement came hours after an activist of a right wing group filed a police complaint against GITM organisers.
Halarnkar the segment was never given a priority in Goa's tourism profile. "Officials wanted to create awareness about this segment. But we don't want to have any tourism which is against people's wish."
The government's support for LGBT tourism during GITM was opposed by right-wing groups, including Ramdev-led Bharat Swabhiman Trust and also the power Goa church.
Dattaram Sawant, a member of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, had filed a criminal complaint against GITM organisers.
"The state has already been defamed as sex and drugs destinations. We don't want another tag," he said.
"Goa government has already allowed drug trafficking, casinos and prostitution to grow. And now LGBT tourism. What else remains to be invited to Goa," a spokesman of Bharat Swabhiman Trust said.
Francisco Caldeira, a spokesman of Goa Church, said that the state government should not orient itself towards this kind of tourism.
