The Covid-19 pandemic has been causing havoc with the lives and livelihood of people in the State for well over a year. Many have lost their lives. Others have lost their jobs and their business. Tourism activities which was the prime revenue earner for Goa has hit a roadblock. Many Goans who have been associated with the tourism industry are left with no means of earning their daily bread. One such class are the licensed tourist guides. It is learnt that in a petition to the government the tourist guides registered under the Department of Tourism have highlighted the lack of business since March 2020 which has affected their livelihood leaving them without any source of income. Most of the tourist-guides who have been working for the last 20-30 years find themselves without any source of income. It is understood that states like Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha and other states have come to the aid of the tourist guides by extending financial help for their survival. Goa has witnessed a sharp decline in footfall of tourists in the states. These tourist guides can earn their daily bread only if there are tourists visiting the State. The Goa government needs to come to the aid of the tourist guides who are the first people tourists meet when they land in the State.
