PANAJI
Goa's tourism sector which has been badly affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, is staring at a challenging task of revival ahead of the tourist season beginning next month.
Industry stakeholders including casino operators are keeping their fingers crossed in view of the anticipated third wave even as the industry suffered a massive revenue loss and thousands losing their jobs with associated businesses coming to a standstill.
Currently, except malls, bars and cinema theatres, all other modes of entertainment are still shut, and as the tourist season starts in September, those who are dependent on these businesses are hoping that they too see better days ahead.
Clubs and casinos are a major part of the entertainment sector in Goa, and as of now, these are shut for more than 18 months, with loss of revenue and jobs.
Six offshore and 10 onshore casinos collectively employ about 15,000 people directly and another 15,000 indirectly. So, a total of around 30,000 people are working in the casino industry as of today.
However, it's not only the casino industry, the whole entertainment industry has to be restarted because tourists coming to Goa expect entertainment in various forms, in terms of clubs, pubs, river cruises, casinos and unless all these activities start, tourists would not come in, industry stakeholders reveal.
“Our entire industry is suffering as the tourists are not coming. Big and small hotels don’t have much occupancy. Very few restaurants are currently operating. Most of the restaurants, clubs, pubs, bars, taverns, the river and boat cruises, casinos, taxi drivers, tour operators, tourist guides are deprived of their income,” says a hotel owner from North Goa.
The hospitality industry had made representations to the government with an appeal to open up. “Since, all other industries including malls, cinemas have started, it’s high time the government allow casinos too,” states an employee who works at the casino in Panaji.
Arguing further he points out that Covid cannot be the only reason to keep casinos shut as the States where there are no casinos also saw a spike in Covid cases last month.
“This shows that casinos have nothing to do with Covid cases. As it is our management is following all protocols issued by the government, including cap on capacity, social distancing norms, wearing masks compulsorily and sanitising the place at regular intervals.”
“Most importantly, 100 percent of our staff has got their first dose and 50 percent is fully vaccinated. We have taken precautions that our staff doesn’t get affected and not become spreaders,” says a casino owner from North Goa, adding that the government is strictly checking people at the borders.
Hence, if this is already in place, starting of casinos would not adversely affect the Covid situation in the State, he feels.
