VASCO
It was an unusual departure from tradition, as 213 international tourists arriving by the first chartered flight of the tourism season were given a rather insipid and muted welcome at the Goa International Airport at Dabolim early Sunday morning.
It has been a tradition for many years for tourism officials to accord a warm welcome to the first set of foreign tourists arriving by chartered flights and this fanfare at the airport has usually included the presence of senior tourism officials, traditional brass band, bouquets, etc. Tourists would even click photos and record videos of the special welcome, while some would even dance to the music.
THEN: A brass band plays music to welcome tourists from the first charter flight at Dabolim airport on December 15, 2021.
NOW: The first set of tourists outside the Dabolim airport terminal early Sunday morning without any brass band to welcome them.
But there was no such festive celebration when the first charter flight Aeroflot SU236 arrived from Moscow with 213 passengers and crew at around 5.30 am. Tourists were only given roses on their arrival, but the usual pomp weas clearly absent.
MANY DISAPPOINTED
While Indian tour operators had worked hard to persuade their counterparts in Russia to bring in tourists from the war-torn Russia to Goa, many were in for a disappointment as authorities failed to provide a grand welcome to tourists who arrived in the State.
“It was sad to note that there was neither a traditional brass band nor a cake-cutting ceremony. While the airport director was not present to welcome the guests, the tourism department only sent two persons to welcome tourists with roses,” said a source at the airport.
Many questioned if Dabolim Airport was already being offered step-motherly treatment with the presence of the Mopa Airport and they wondered if this was a deliberate move by authorities to dissuade charter flights to arrive at Dabolim.
“We were in a rude shock when we noticed hardly any arrangements by tourism officials for the first set of international charter tourists and only two persons were sent to offer roses to passengers,” said a source.
“While we don't expect much, we could have provided a better experience to international tourists, as many of them may be visiting Goa for the first time. The first impression is the best impression, and these are the memories that they carry home.”
“We have seen for several years that tourists get a very grand welcome. Pictures are clicked, guests are welcomed by top officials and even by ministers at times. There is a traditional brass band and even a cake-cutting ceremony on some occasions to celebrate the first flight arrival.”
“This time round, there was almost nothing grand to welcome the guests except for roses," the source added.
BETTER AT MOPA
Admitting that authorities should have given the first set of international tourists a grand welcome on their arrival at Dabolim airport, former Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Savio Messias said Dabolim airport should follow the same impressive welcome for passengers as is being done at Mopa.
"Authorities had started this tradition of welcoming guests and maintained for many years. They could, at least, have continued with the tradition of offering a grand welcome to tourists, to treat them well and make them happy by creating a good impression when they land in Goa,” said Messias.
"When the first international flight landed at Mopa, it was welcomed with an impressive water cannon salute by two fire tenders. This could have been done to welcome the Aeroflot flight at Dabolim Airport, especially at a time when the Dabolim Airport needs marketing presently to retain the Dabolim Airport.”
Messias said flights are moving to Mopa not because of problems in Dabolim, but because Mopa is putting a red carpet for the airlines and passengers.
“Mopa airport is entertaining them with a professional job like a true businessman, whereas Dabolim Airport is displaying a government style of working," Messias added.
