The tourism business may be booming in the state with a large number of domestic tourists
coming to Goa over the festival period. But for several hoteliers and members
of the hospitality industry, it would be even better when the international
tourists flew down in large numbers. Quite a few of them flew down in charter
flights from Russia and the UK and stayed for anywhere between seven to twenty
one days. A very profitable business no doubt. Now there seems to be a problem.
The government at the centre has decided to exclude nationals from Canada,
United Kingdom, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia from having access
to e-visa facilities for tourists. This move has been initiated for lack of
reciprocity. As far as Goa is concerned, the placement of the UK in that list
is a matter of great concern. English nationals can still come over to Goa or
any other part of the country but they will have to apply for the visa in
London. This development evoked varied responses from members of the tourism
industry.
Ernest Dias, COO of TCI said it was very
bad news for the expected business during the season. The charters would be
affected without a doubt. He said “Many of our clients will be planning and
even booking tickets. For a few years now, they have been used to the facility
of getting a visa in Goa itself. Now they will have to apply for it at the
embassy in London and that may dissuade a few from not taking the trip. This
will certainly affect the numbers. We had a large number of charters in 2019
and 2020 and numbers will now be affected.” He felt they would be hit very
hard. He hoped the issue would be sorted out because he said Goa needed the
business to cover the losses suffered by the various businesses during the
height of the pandemic.
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According to data from the department of tourism around 282022
foreign visitors came to Goa till August 2020 a dramatic drop over the previous
year when 9371 13 foreign tourists came in through the entire year.
Savio Messias former head of TTAG said the international
business would be hit very badly because the English and the Russian market
were very important for the industry. With the problems in Russia due to the
increase in cases already set to hit business this move he felt by the Indian
government would hit them very hard. He said “The UK is a main source of
business for us and we will be hit. They would come in Dream liners which are
huge aircrafts which means a large number of passengers. My question is why
deny them. Yes I am aware the government at the centre has their reasons to
initiate this move but we will end up getting squeezed”.
Serafin Cotta, whose client base comes from the charter
business, said this move was a big problem. He said “It is a very competitive market
internationally and we have to compete with other nations. We need to sell Goa.
We need to have a weapon to fight with. The e-visa was a very welcome move and
everyone who used it was very happy. I don’t understand this move by the
government. All of us in the medium and small hotel slot enjoyed playing host
to the English. I hope this problem is sorted out at the earliest.”
Aloo Gomes COO Train Blazers Tours said it was a sad development
and would have a serious effect on the business. This would mean going back to
the old system of applying for a visa in London. Travel agents he said would be
back in business but he felt that those who wanted to travel would make the
journey.
However Nilesh Shah the present President of TTAG said with
tourism opening up the association had wanted the English to be on the list of
nationals allowed to come after showing the appropriate paperwork. He felt it
would be challenging now because as he revealed his sources had informed him
that there was a rush for visas at the Indian embassy. Nilesh said “There are
pio’s who want to come to India and it will be a challenge for tourists to get
a visa at the last minute. We want foreign tourists to come here without any
hassle and we would like to see some relaxation on the part of the government.
The move by the government to give five lakh free visas is great and I am sure
will be used by all those visiting the country and Goa. I am sure something
positive will emerge in a couple of weeks”.
This
was a move no one in the industry expected and they will hope it is either
rescinded but then that would require the other side to provide reciprocal
access as was provided by India. One hopes in all this Goa does not suffer the
brunt.
