PANAJI
The Union Defence Ministry would like to ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the hotel industry in Goa to keep tariffs affordable during the DefExpo if the State intends continuing with the event in Goa.
This was disclosed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on the sidelines of a function in Panaji on Saturday.
“During the recently held DefExpo, one common complaint which I received was that hotels were overcharging. So if at all Goa intends to request us to continue with the DefExpo here, we would like to have an MoU with the hotel industry so that they do not exceed a particular amount.”
Speaking further, he said, “The defence wing of the expo will guarantee 100 per cent booking almost across Goa provided there is some sort of upper limit for the charges. Even a Chief Executive Officer of a multi-national company had said he felt hotel tariffs were too high.”
On holding an aero show in Goa, Parrikar said, “Aero show immediately may not be possible. If there is a positive vibe, it could be considered. These events are global in nature and they can put Goa among the top 10 internationally.”
During the recently held DefExpo 2016 at Naqueri, Quitol in Quepem taluka, starred hotels had charged exorbitant tariff to their clientele.
The Leela Goa in Cavelossim was charging Rs 61,075 per night if you had checked in on March 27 and checked out on April 1, while Park Hyatt in Cansaulim was charging Rs 52,300 per night; nearly double of what they charge on New Year’s Eve.
Interestingly, Taj Exotica in Benaulim and The Lalit Golf and Spa Resort in Canacona were entirely sold out during the four-day expo.
Industry players were of the opinion that DefExpo 2016 being a high profile exhibition, would attract tourism-related activities in the State. But, some tour operators had also complained that the hotels were not honouring contracts as the demand for hotels was very high during the four-day expo.
