PANAJI
The Pahalgam terror attack that saw cancellation of hotel bookings in Goa, coupled with middle income group eyeing for cheaper destinations, the State government has directed hotels to review and potentially adjust their tariff in a bid to lure more visitors.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Tuesday held a series of meetings with industry stakeholders including starred hotels, guest houses, villas, home stays, shack operators, water sports operators and tours and travels. The issues like skyrocketing hotel rates, illegal touts, stray dogs, hawkers, garbage, taxis, accommodations, etc were discussed in length and it was decided to bring in the much needed improvement on all these fronts.
Addressing a press conference post meeting, Khaunte said that while the first quarter of the year – January to March saw over 10 per cent jump in tourist arrivals, footfalls in April was a bit fluctuating and post Pahalgam terror strike, the situation is a bit worrisome.
“The situation, though normalised post Operation Sindoor, but it will definitely affect the tourism industry as we are seeing a lot of cancellations in terms of hotels, visits, in bound tourism,” he said, adding that there are already a lot of challenges within, which needs to be addressed before the coming season.
“Hotels are asked to relook at their rates…adjust their tariffs…offer packages for the monsoon. Hotels will have to keep the rates reasonable keeping in mind the overall tourism scenario. High air fare, high hotel rates…is making Goa the most expensive destination forcing the middle income brackets who are the big time travellers, to look for alternative….not within the State but countries like Vietnam, Thailand, etc,” Khaunte said.
Khaunte also said that Category C and D hotels, often including guest houses, rented accommodations, are facing challenges due to unregistered villas, guest rooms, and suffering potential losses. He said that a meeting with Online Travel Platform will be held shortly to understand how many have registered with the department.
“We will review the inventory and will take a decision whether to withdraw permissions or to allow them to continue,” he said.
The Minister said that for the coming season, Goa is exploring new markets like the Middle East and UAE, whom we have requested to explore the State during the monsoon. “Tours and Travel operators are expecting double the number of Russians this year,” he said.
Khaunte said that necessary directions have been issued to the Director Tourism to ensure uniformity in rates, kiosks, implementation of Queue system are put in place for water sports activities before the coming season.
