It is leant that many associated with tourism in Goa believe that footfall of tourists visiting the state are dwindling (The Goan, January 7). There could be several reasons for this, right from the pathetic state of the capital city due to the ongoing Smart city works, the controversy surrounding the Sunburn Music Festival, delay in the start of the shack business, among others.
Charter tourists may have kept away due to the political instability and ongoing wars in several countries. But it must be said that Goa will always attract tourists from all over the country and across the globe.
Goa is a unique place free from public unrest and communal tension. Goa is considered as a safe tourist destination free from public demonstrations and fights. This year the footfalls may have plummeted as far as the tourist influx is concerned.
But there is nothing to worry but lessons to be learnt by the tourism department and other stakeholders. Goa will rise again and be among the most preferred tourist destinations in the world.
All that is required is some fine tuning of the tourism policy. It must be said that tourists visit the state throughout the year and not just during the year-end, probably to avoid overcrowding during this period.
Hence only the average of tourist arrival across the entire year will give a correct picture of the tourism scenario in the state.
