A cautious tourism industry is waiting with hope andexpectations that the tourism season will take off on a bright note this year.
Last year almost 900 flights with more than 50 percent ofthe total charter tourists coming from Eastern Europe -- Kazakhstan and Russiacame to Goa.
There is hope and some positive indicators that the numberswill rise still further this year. 1,71,178 tourists from 12 internationaldestinations had landed in Goa last year.
“Last year the global meltdown affected tourism prospects,especially for travellers from Europe. In case of America, most of theircitizens cancelled flights because of the ash cloud,” said Timothy Pereira, aPanjim based tour operator.
“This year the economic scenario around the globe is alittle better and hopefully international tourists will spend more like theRussians do,” Timothy said.
Although Goa received 273 more charter flights in the lasttourism season; hotels did good business on account of domestic touriststhrough conferences, weddings and outdoor events.
Shack owners want 5-year licence
Shack owners led by All Goa Shack owners associationpresident, Cruz Cardozo has been lobbying hard with the new government for a5-year license for their respective shacks instead of the annual licensefollowed presently.
“Shack owners in the annual auction are not even guaranteedof a shack. We would be happy to get a five year licence on a rotation basis onthe same beach. That way we can play for the long term especially financiallysince inflation has hit the food industry in a big way,” Cruz said.
Shack owners have had a round of meeting with ChiefMinister, Manohar Parrikar and Tourism Minister, Dilip Parulekar and arehopeful that the government will accept their demand.
Water sports organizers upset
The unorganized water sports organizers in the State are nota happy lot. With government deciding to take control of the water sportsactivity to put a system in place the organizers are worried.
“Government’s decision to involve Drishti in water sports isto control prices. All this is being done without taking our views despite webeing in the business for over eight years. Government control and handing theactivity to a single operator means kickbacks in crores,” said Pele Fernandes,South Goa’s largest water sport operator and vice presidentof Water Sports Bodyin the State.
Tourism Minister, Dilip Parulekar said that government willonly setup counters to issue tickets and allot space across beaches tooperators. The decision is only to control prices so that tourists are notfleeced.
High Court ruling calls for a queue system among water sportusers, which the government plans to implement so that people don’t havesuffer, Tourism Director, Mattew Samuels said.
