The Goa government takes huge credit for any success but for any failures, the ministers put the blame on others and take no accountability for their failures/shortcomings. Recently Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho put the blame on the tourism stakeholders for high prices which is driving tourists away. No doubt prices are high but could the govt not proactively address this with the stake holders; even at higher prices Goa could have attracted premium tourists but it is the pathetic governance, high corruption, sewage/garbage, lawlessness, crumbling tourist infrastructure, filthy beaches/ creeks (eg Colva), stray dog & cattle menace, major sound violations, massive reduction in Goa’s ethnic identity, rapid destruction of hills/trees/water bodies/land/fields/mangroves etc which is driving away tourists. It has been well known for years why small Goa stood out versus rest of India and particularly its neighbours (Maharashtra/Karnataka etc) on the tourism front ; besides key factors like cleanliness, clean environment/beaches, being crime free, high safety, low population density, ethnic Goan hospitality etc. One other major reason was also the Portuguese influence/architecture/cuisine/music, etc. So I request ministers like Mauvin to do a deep introspection along with his other ministerial colleagues instead of making lame statements/excuses and blaming others.
