Goa has been the talking point across India and outside, not from the tourism standpoint, but for the tragedy that claimed 25 lives in the nightclub fire at Arpora. The news developments have consumed national screen time while international media groups like BBC, Sky News, and Al Jazeera exposed uncomfortable truths of safety failures, regulatory shortcomings, public safety, and the economics of the tourism industry.
While the media was screaming loud and clear, the government made some quick moves and tightened screws by forming oversight committees, ordering safety checks at venues, calling for audits, and moving swiftly to clamp down on those without fire safety permissions. The Romeo Lane restaurant extension at Vagator was demolished in no time. Also, arrests followed quickly, and the State government succeeded in detaining the Luthra brothers — owners of Birch — in Thailand.
The question is, can tourists forget the horror of December 7? Can we humanly put the trauma behind us so soon? There has been a growing concern that this incident may consume the tourism season, which is why the Tourism Minister appealed not to cast the State in a negative light in view of the tragedy, while assuring that Goa continues to be a safe and hospitable State. The point here is that administrators and stakeholders are so engrossed in the economics of tourism that the human emotion has been lost.
Good tourism is rooted in the fundamental principle of trust. When the system fails or colludes, we are left with a situation of helplessness, where trust hits rock bottom. The moment illegal businesses and regulatory agencies join hands, that becomes a deadly cocktail for disaster. What has happened is exactly that.
Instead of a call to shun negative publicity, the State administrators need to create that positivity and earn that goodwill. It is not exclusively about viral videos or fake content doing the rounds. It’s about being respected and cherished as a destination. What the State has raised are monsters. The system is compromised and we have made a mockery of ourselves. Is lawlessness taking over, or is it the money that flows tilting the scales? Has the Tourism Department done enough, or is it only seeking “positivity”?
The tragedy invites a larger conversation about the ethical responsibilities of tourism stakeholders. It drives a thought that tourism-driven ventures must align with rigorous safety standards, an aspect that is non-negotiable. The scale of illegalities along the coastline does not merit a positive propaganda.
Yes, negative media portrayal can have lasting repercussions, severely damaging decades of goodwill. But here is a situation that citizens can’t help, neither can the media. Goa faces the brunt of the media across the globe, and all that talk of a prime hospitality destination pales out. The rearguard action, including the arrests and likely deportation of the Luthra brothers from Thailand, will not undo the damage caused.
The only way forward is to start from scratch, clear all illegalities, establish a robust system, and rebuild the trust of visitors once again. Departments need to stop passing the buck and own responsibility. Every agency has a role and hence need to be accountable. The people of Goa would want the State to thrive in tourism; responsible tourism, and not reckless, chaotic, and free-for-all type of lawless tourism. Don’t cry hoarse over negativity when the system is failing miserably. Admit failures.
