Tourism Dept to show-cause operators over safety lapses

PANAJI
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Friday expressed serious concern over two back-to-back safety lapses, including the parasailing mishap at Varca and the cruise boat incident off Aguada Bay, warning that the government will take stringent action to ensure accountability. The Tourism Department has already been instructed to issue show-cause notices.
Speaking to reporters at Porvorim, Khaunte described the Varca incident as concerning.
“Varca is a very concerning issue because we already held a meeting with water sports operators on regulations. Thereafter, this parasailing incident happened. Safety had to be in place, and tourists were involved... The department has been asked to issue a show-cause notice,” he said, adding that information revealed the boat attached to the parachute did not have permission.
However, the minister added that once the show-cause notice is issued, they will get the full details. “Action against the operator/s will be decided and taken accordingly,” he added.
Khaunte further stated that the justification given by the operator — that it was a demonstration — was unacceptable. “If there was a trial or demo, it should not have been on tourists but on themselves. The touristic experience is very important, but it cannot come at the cost of safety,” Khaunte asserted.
A video went viral showing a parachute entangled in a coconut tree at Varca beach. Acting on the viral footage, the Tourist Police initiated an inquiry to ascertain the facts and the safety measures followed by the operators.
Police Inspector Jatin Desai was quoted as saying that preliminary findings revealed the parasail chute got entangled in a tree near a beach shack during a trial run.
Meanwhile, commenting on the cruise boat that got stuck off Aguada Bay near Candolim, Khaunte said the department has been asked to issue a show-cause notice to those responsible in this case too. “The safety of tourists has to be looked into, else it will reflect poorly on Goa’s tourism. Those traditional Goans in this business are our ambassadors to tourists and these incidents should not be compromised upon,” he warned.
“We will ensure action is taken so that precedents are set. Responsible tourism and responsible tourists are two aspects of the same... We are backing operators to promote and earn business, but if there are irregularities, strict enforcement will follow.”