VIBHA VERMA
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PANJIM: The cancellation or postponement of events, including international and domestic tourism and travel shows, in the wake of spread of the novel coronavirus, has led to Goa tourism suspending its trips abroad.
Visits to Portugal, Germany and Moscow by delegations of Goa Tourism and other stakeholders had to be cancelled following advisories issued by the Central government, as well as other nations either cancelling or postponing mega events.
Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said the trips will not be confirmed until the situation stabilises. “The Central government has cancelled foreign trips. We support this decision because it will contain the spread of the deadly virus. Similarly, many countries are cancelling or postponing tourism promotional shows. Goa Tourism has thus cancelled its trips until a further decision at the Central and State level,” the minister told Herald.
Information with Herald reveals that one of the major events – ITB Berlin originally scheduled from March 4 to March 8, 2020 – was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The organisers have put forth a refund policy for exhibitors and visitors. The trade show will now be held from March 10-14, 2021.
Lisbon’s BTL tourism fair, from March 11 to March 15, 2020 has reportedly not been cancelled, but it did not see any participation from Goa. The minister said the virus scare and visa restrictions held them back from attending shows even in places where COVID-19 is not severe. Portugal’s national and regional tourism boards also did not participate at the event.
MITT tourism show at Moscow from March 17-19, 2020 will also not have a Goa Tourism delegation. Another event, Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, originally slated from April 19-22, 2020 has been postponed to June 28-July 1, 2020. Sources said if the virus outbreak is controlled, Goa is likely to participate in the show.
Goa Tourism’s participation at international events has often drawn controversy as it has not always yielded results. The ‘foreign junkets’ have also been widely debated in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
The fate of domestic travel shows has, however, not yet been decided, Ajgaonkar said.
