MARGAO
In a development that has unfolded ahead of the new tourism season, water sports operators from both North and South have come under one banner to protect the interests of the locals engaged in the tourism activity.
The water sports operators further demanded that the government should protect the interests of Niz Goemkars engaged in the tourism activities such as water sports, beach shacks and the tourist taxi trade.
After a joint meeting of the North and South Goa water sports operators, Benaulim-based fisherman and water sports operator Pele Fernandes reminded the government that the water sports, tourist taxi and beach shacks are being run and operated by the traditional fishermen.
In fact, he pointed out that the traditional fishermen and their children have promoted tourism and have taken to the present level long before the government got involved in the tourism promotion. “We would like to tell the government that 99 per cent of the people engaged in tourist taxi trade, beach shack and water sports are Niz Goemkars. We request the government to do nothing that would displace the locals from the tourism business,” he said.
Another water sports operator Roy Barretto said the water sports operators from North and South Goa have come together to protect the interests engaged in the business. “Our humble plea to the government is to please allow the locals engaged in water sports activities to do the business. Please don’t allow the Delhiwallas to enter the business,” he said.
