MAPUSA
We need to restart all allied tourism activities to reboot the tourism industry in the State, said Ports Minister Michael Lobo and called for reopening of casinos with 50 per cent capacity.
Lobo also said water sports activities can start from September 15 onwards, so that tourists who come to Goa can get some entertainment facilities.
“A lot of tourists who come to Goa want to visit the casinos. The government should issue permission to reopen the casinos with 50 to 60 per cent occupancy. I will request the chief minister to restart the casinos,” Lobo said.
With the slowing down of the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, the government has opened the majority of the activities in the State but casinos were yet to be reopened.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was on record that the government had no intention of reopening the casinos when the curfew was on.
According to Lobo, the recent High Court decision to allow double vaccinated people to enter the State was a good decision for the tourism industry in the State.
“We need to capitalise on the decision and start all allied tourism activities in the State. Our Goans who survive on small tourism-related activities have suffered enough due to the closure of their business for the last two to three months. In the interest of educated unemployed youth, we need to start water sports activities promptly,” he said.
He said people who own catamarans and speed boats should be allowed to restart water sports activities with 50 per cent capacity.
Lobo, who comes from the coastal belt, said the tourism industry in the State has been hit hard like all other businesses due to the pandemic.
“Five-star hotels have dropped their room rates to the level of a 3-star hotel, which has affected businesses of the small hoteliers and guest houses,” he said.
He said government officials should monitor the situation on the ground and issue fines against those who fail to adhere to all Covid-related guidelines.
