Increasing tourist numbers will put a strain on Goa, not boost revenue
It may not go down well with many, especially those with government connections, but it is a statement that will hit home and resonate with others in Goa. Francisco Braganza, the president of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa has decried a statement made by the minister for tourism, that the forthcoming tourist season will see 7.5 million tourists. Braganza claims that this number will lead to a heavy load on Goa’s infrastructure and will destroy the state’s resources.
The increasing focus on quantity not quality over the past few years by the department of tourism has been a concern for many in Goa. There is always talk of increasing figures, even as there is visibility a lack of legs on streets or people in restaurants. This has been happening for the better half of a decade or more. The time-old call for a focus on specific demographics has fallen on deaf ears and this time too, the calls will increase.
Look at the ground reality. Leave aside the massive traffic jams during the peak season, around Panaji and on the beach belt. That is a concern but can be managed through better transport facilities, which would discourage tourists who aim to drive down to the state. Hotels running on full occupancy only made up 60 percent of the total number of establishments in the state. Even now, restaurateurs are claiming a drop in revenue. The roads may have been widened in parts but with more permissions for establishments, the widening has served to further business interests instead of making motoring easier. There is also the fact that the beaches, one of Goa’s biggest pulls, are dirty and congested.
The number of people from the rest of India coming down and investing here tells a different story, that of Goa still being a viable place to run a tourism related business, but even here there are drawbacks. The pricing of food and drink has gone up drastically, since many are pricing their food either according to the Euro or on a comparative rate to what you will pay in Delhi or Mumbai. With rising room tariffs too, Goa is also pricing themselves above the market, leading to a large number of people opting for other destinations in India, or in South East Asia. This void is being filled by low budget tourists who come here in packed vans, not hiring rooms or eating in restaurants.
There needs to be some consensus on where Goa is going. If 7.5 million tourists can come in via Dabolim, then the introduction of Mopa will effectively bury the state when it comes to numbers. Goa is at the crossroads. There needs to be an induction of forward thinking leaders who will understand that the tourism policy which takes all this into consideration is a necessity and not pay lip service. There is also a need to rethink the tax structures on high end hotels as well as eating establishments, which will serve as incentive to boost investment. The focus has to be on quality. Quantity will only put a strain on the state.
