This refers to 'Visuals of tourists assaulting Goan on roads spark outrage' and 'Tourists clash with security at Candolim' (TGE, Feb 8). Domestic tourists have shamed Goa and damaged its image as a safe tourist destination, as well as reflecting poorly on the government's Tourism Department for its inability to provide safe and quality tourism in the State.
We have been reading about such irresponsible behaviour from domestic tourists for long, especially over the past month, including drunkenness and attacks on security personnel, hotel staff, and shacks, and even the death of a tourist due to these incidents, but little has improved since then.
This is in stark contrast to the olden days when Goa was a paradise, where both domestic and foreign tourists felt safe and enjoyed their stay, taking back pleasant memories. One wonders whether these domestic tourists would dare to behave in the same irresponsible manner in foreign countries.
The fault lies with the Tourism Department and the poor performance of the Goa Police along the coastal belt in maintaining law and order. We all want quality tourism, but the responsibility of ensuring this lies with Goa's Tourism Department, which must find a solution.
