PANAJI
If 'optimism' had a definition this would be it: the take of stakeholders forecasting the prospects for the tourism sector as the new season kicked off this year.
For instance, the current president of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Jack Sukhija is all gung ho.
"If last year's season is the benchmark, this year will definitely be much, much better for the trade both in quantity and quality as well," Jack told The Goan when asked to articulate his thoughts on the prospects for the sector this season which kicked off just a week ago with the first tlights chartered for tourists arriving at the Manohar International Airport at Mopa.
"Despite our inadequacies and flaws in civic infrastructure, public transport and general cleanliness, Goa is still a big attraction for tourists because it is naturally beautiful. Also, whatever your personal likes or dislikes, big ticket events like Sunburn will take place bringing in a large number of guests," Jack said.
The TTAG chief also said that Goa continues to be competitive in terms of pricing for both the domestic as well as international visitors when compared to its South Asian and South East Asian peers.
"Nevertheless, some issues often raised by the local population who face the brunt of the negative impact of tourism need to be addressed. Carrying capacities of our tourist villages and the State as a whole need to be respected and a few other problems like garbage management and public transport remain to be genuinely tackled," Jack added.
In terms of numbers, Jack said the inflow of domestic tourists apart, there will be a much higher number of charter flights coming in and the scene of tourists coming from the UK will improve by a big measure.
Also painting a positive picture for this year’s tourism season is Jack's predecessor at TTAG Nilesh Shah who says it’s going to be better than the last four years.
"We may even go back to match pre-pandemic numbers. The 2019-20 season untill February 2020 was the last best season. But compared to 2021, 2022 and 2023, this year it will be far better, with more international flights coming in from Poland, UK, Uzbekistan and the Middle East," Shah said.
As for domestic tourists, the flow will increase once the marriage muhurats start post-Diwali. Most of the starred resorts and hotels are already sold out," he said.
Shah however had a word of caution pertaining to the geo-political situation with the Russia-Ukraine and Israel wars still raging.
"The only grey area is the current volatile geo-political situation. But if there is a ceasefire in Russia, Ukraine or Israel, flights may come in to Goa, In general, I am expecting a good season ahead for the next six to seven months," Shah said.
Another tourism sector entrepreneur who owns multiple ventures in North Goa said, the season will be good but if quality tourism is to be pursued the role of the stakeholders in preserving the State's tourism brand rather than treating it as the goose that lays the golden egg, is crucial.
"Post Covid the whole world wants to enter the tourism business in Goa but nobody wants to invest in maintaining the dignity of this land. 'Sub kuch chalta hai' is the attitude," said the entrepreneur who operates in the niche tourist-targeting entertainment business.
He said, monitors who have to be vigilant are corrupted and 'paisa-feko-Goa-becho' is becoming the norm.
