This is with reference to the front page news report ' Sharp drop in tourist footfalls sets off alarm bells in Goa ' (TGE, April 20). Alarm bells have been ringing in Goa since long, signalling the impending drop in tourist numbers, both foreign and domestic. Unfortunately, it has fallen on deaf ears of the Goa tourism department and allied authorities. Welcoming tourists on arrival from abroad with roses and a live band, have to be followed up with welfare measures to keep tourists happy during their stay. This is the essence of good tourism practice which is woefully missing in Goa. The insatiable greed for money has seen a high rise in room rates, unaffordable taxi fares, and cheating by taxi operators and touts. The poor hygiene on our beaches and the fear of being attacked by stray dogs have also led to a drop in tourist numbers on our beaches, and poor attendance at shacks. We need to accept these facts and get down to brass tacks to improve the situation, instead of putting the blame on "media influencers" for negative publicity.
