In 2002, EQUATIONS studied the impacts of tourism on two specific coastal stretches in Goa, a popular international tourist designation on the western coast of India. This study aims at understanding how international trade agreements such as the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) intersect with the development priorities and possibilities that tourism claims. Goa, and the specific stretches in North Goa, was chosen both for the significant rise in tourism that it has seen and the presence of large hotels – both international and domestic chains. The study raises concerns about environmental, social, economic and cultural impacts and connects them with the notion of economic social and cultural rights. Case studies of two hotels- the Taj and Mariott are also part of the study. Publisher: Equitable Tourism Options (EQUATIONS) Contact: [email protected] , +91.80.25457607 Visit: www.equitabletourism.org, http://www.equitabletourism.org/stage/readfull.php?AID=770