PANJIM: Setting up of golf course, convention center, theme parks and encouraging wedding tourism were the major demands placed by the legislators in the State Legislative Assembly today, in promoting Goa as a major tourist hub in the world, apart from being highlighted as a beach tourism destination. A need for formulating a comprehensive tourism policy, giving direction to state’s tourism, was also raised on the floor of the House. Speaking during the demand for grants for tourism, the legislators cutting across party line pointed towards government’s failure in promoting the state’s hidden tourism sides including its heritage, hinterland, historical monuments, and others as major tourist attractions. Moving the cut motion on the demand, the Leader of opposition Pratapsingh Rane pointed to the government’s failure to encourage high-end tourists in the state. “Government needs to concentrate on this industry, which is basically a clean industry with a potential to develop,” he said demanding construction of a marina along the Caranzalem belt thus encouraging water sports. “The concept would place Goa on the map of yachting world,” he stated. The Congress legislator’s demand for setting up of convention center in the state was supported by members of the House including Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Fatorda legislator Vijai Sardessai. “The erstwhile government had proposed setting up convention center. However, it received opposition. Some even went to the High Court,” Rane said adding ‘nobody realized the importance of this convention centre for a tourism state’. Lobo, asserting the need for having such center, urged government to set up the same along the Calangute plateau. He also urged government to promote the state as wedding tourism destination. Independent MLA Sardessai urged government to take into confidence all the stakeholders while framing the policy, which would provide necessary directions to department in promoting the state on world map.