Tourism Manohar Ajgaonkar is preparing ground for a new tourism season. There is a conscious effort being made to secure the tourists and give them the comfort feeling. Close on the heels of the United Kingdom issuing a travel advisory for its citizens visiting Goa, Ajgaonkar has assured tourists that the State is a safe travel destination, and appealed to global visitors not to panic. The tourism minister boasts of taking measures to ensure the safety and security of tourists so that they enjoy a trouble-free vacation. The minster speaks of special tourist police, local police, Indian Reserve Battalion and lifeguards keeping a hawks eye, although the CCTVs which the government spoke of last year are well forgotten. However, as all appears well laid out, questions on safety and security will continue to haunt as long as our beaches are overcrowded. Fears of drinks being spiked as listed in the UK advisory will be hard to be done away with.
With the new tourism season knocking on Goa's doors, it's a positive sign that the focus has shifted to tourists. In view of tourists complaining of injuries caused by broken glass pieces of liquor bottles on beaches, the government is planning a ban on use of glass bottles on beaches. The proposal looks good on paper, but the practicalities and modalities will have to be worked out. This decision would virtually mean a ban on sale of liquor in glass bottles across the shores. It would also mean that surveillance and security would have to be increased manifold to keep a vigil on tourists getting bottles from outside.
There is also a concern over several deaths due to drowning, with the tourism minister pushing for a law to deal with those venturing into the sea in an intoxicated state. Drinking along beaches has been a common phenomenon with tourists throwing caution to the wind and indulging in liquor. When government allows late-night licences, there are bound to be cases of binge drinking. Tourists cannot be a target when you have bars open up to early morning. Tourists are not expected to have coffee instead.No amount of awarenesson the dangers of drinking and swimming is going to help. Goa is known for its abundance of booze and authorities have failed to tackle tourists drinking on the beaches. Alternate ways need to be worked on. Security concerns and permissions for late night bars should be in total sync. All stakeholders, including tourism department, GTDC, security forces, taxi drivers, hoteliers and local vendors should sit across the table and trash out solutions. This is not the sole responsibility of the tourism minister.
