VASCO
South Goa SP Abhishek Dhaniya on Thursday sent a clear message that Goa Police would not tolerate any harassment to tourists in the State and said the clash between tourist taxi and coach operators over international cruise passengers was due to miscommunication and mishandling of the issue.
SP Dhaniya was addressing reporters after a long meeting with stakeholders of cruise tourism, which included shipping agents, coach operators, port officials, CISF, police and taxi operators at the Mormugao Harbour on Thursday evening.
"We had an unfortunate incident on Wednesday where passengers of a cruise vessel wanted visit the State but there was an issue between tourist taxi and coach operators because of miscommunication and mishandling of the issue. The tourists could not visit the State and have gone back with a very bad memory of Goa and India as well,” said SP Dhaniya.
“We are carrying out an enquiry into the incident. After interacting with all stakeholders, we have realised that there was miscommunication between taxi and tour operators. If the right information was given in advance, these things would have never happened.”
“Goa police is very clear that we will not tolerate any harassment to tourists in the State. We will ensure that Goa continues to be a safe destination and a tourist-friendly state. We explained to the stakeholders that their entire business is existent because of the tourists and without them, their business will cease to exist," said SP Dhaniya.
The South Goa SP added that some new changes have been made in handling of cruise ships, to ensure smooth operations.
"The MPT transport manager will always convene a meeting to be attended by local administration and police, so that we are aware in advance of the schedule of which ship is coming and with how many passengers.”
“We have also issued an order that any distress call made by a domestic or an international tourists will be handled by an officer not below the rank of the PSI and in his unavailability, by the PI who will visit the spot and solve the issue and take it to a logical conclusion.
“We will also have a special drive against touts which is a menace with rising tourism activity in the festive season along the coastline and this will be held in South Goa at Vasco, Verna, Colva and Canacona under the supervision of the PI and DySP, immaterial of whether they are touts of shacks, restaurants, hotels and resorts.
“We will take legal actions against them and remove them from circulation to reduce harassment to tourists. We must realise that tourists get a good impression based on way people have treated them and foreign tourists should go back with a good impression after visiting Goa," added SP Dhaniya.
