Byline: The Goan Network
At a time when the state government is facing stiff opposition from the locals on DefExpo 2016 to be held in Quitol, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has come out in support of the DefExpo in the interest of tourism in the State.
TTAG’s press statement read, “We cannot be silent spectators and allow the DefExpo to be cancelled, more so when we are staring at a depressed market.”
The current tourism season has been the toughest for the industry in the recent times. With Ruble depreciating, fewer Russians are travelling outside their country. Russians contribute a significant percentage of overall foreign arrivals in Goa.
Besides, world’s economy is going through a slowdown, which also affects tourism badly. The Goan Everyday had earlier reported that shrinking charter market has resulted in tourism season ending in the middle of March itself. Earlier, the season used to continue till April.
Given this, DefExpo offers a great opportunity to tourism as it is going to be held from March 28th to March 31st and it will bring delegates from all over the world.
TTAG’s statement further noted, “If DefExpo is going to be a permanent feature in future it needs to be shifted to the month of April so that it can take care of the off season”
April used to be the last month of tourism season till around three years ago. This year, the DefExpo is expected to boost tourism in March. TTAG’s statement read, “We are given to understand that the hotels in South Goa have already benefited from the DefExpo. We at the TTAG therefore would like to record that the DefExpo is good for Goa Tourism and we need to support it”
Box: DefExpo “ a blessing for tourism
1. The tourism season is facing a slowdown. DefExpo is likely to help tourism as it will bring delegates from all around the world
2. The season ends in mid-March now as charters are shrinking. DefExpo will be held from March 28 to March 31, thereby helping the tourism industry
3. TTAG says that DefExpo should be held in April in future so that it can take care of off-season
