PANAJI
Just when travel was getting back to its feet after devastating two years of Covid-19, the new variant is likely to slam it down again. Goa’s tourism stakeholders are nonetheless optimistic the new variant will not impact the industry this time because of herd immunity.
“We have the largest vaccinated population. After the two vaccine doses, the government promoted booster doses, which has been a big saviour. There’s nothing to be panicked about,” Nilesh Shah, President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), Goa’s largest umbrella organization of tourism and tour operators, said.
In the wake of a surge in Covid-19 cases in China, Japan and the US; India has increased its defense mechanisms against the virus by deploying a series of preventive measures.
Admitting that complete elimination of Covid-19 “will take a while,” the TTAG Chief has indicated that herd immunity will prevent India from an explosion of cases.
Meanwhile, the Centre has advised people to get fully vaccinated and use masks, even though the norms are not mandatory thus far. “There will be attempts to create unnecessary panic. Nevertheless, preventive measures ought to be adopted,” another TTAG official said.
With tourism picking up in Goa, Dabolim airport, which is currently witnessing record single-day arrivals, is fully geared to re-implement sampling tests, subject to directions from the Centre.
“The situation is normal as of now. We are ready to re-implement guidelines at the airport, but only after instructions from the Centre. We have all the requirements in place and so also manpower,” Airport Director S V T Dhanamjaya Rao said while emphasising that herd immunity is a major relief for the country.
Besides domestic arrivals, a large chunk of Russian, UK and Kazak nationals are currently holidaying in the State. Several flights from the three countries are booked till season-end, which is in addition to scheduled flights carrying passengers from other countries as well.
Shack operators, who are amongst the first to bear the brunt of a poor season, have kept their fingers crossed. “We have to wait and watch. We had a slightly better season last year but the ongoing season has disappointed us. The fresh Covid-19 fear had augmented our fear of a fruitful season. The pandemic years were worst for our stakeholders, we hope it isn’t the same this time,” President of Shack Owners Welfare Society Cruz Cardozo said.
As per the latest data, around 10 Charters from Russia, two from the UK and one from Kazakhstan are flying into Goa every week, each carrying 200-250 passengers. Shah stated that UK-charter flights are expected to rise after India, in its recent decision, resumed the e-visa facility for British nationals.
