The hospitality industry is the jewel in the crown. It dominates the economy of the State. Think Goa, think of its beaches and a milieu that is so radically different from other parts of the country. After mining, tourism is what keeps the State moving and in the news.
However lately, the depressed economy internationally had an effect on the flow of international tourists. The hoteliers were however saved by the continuous inflow of domestic tourists. The industry is blighted by problems without a doubt. The shenanigans of the taxi brigade have been articulated several times and promises have been made to rein them in, but to no avail. The State has over the years become a magnet for corporate interested in organising their year-end parties or meetings to plan the year ahead. In addition, Goa became the place to get married as rich Indians and foreigners interested in an exotic wedding decided to promise to be with each other till death.
MICE picked up pace last year and it is expected to continue to grow in importance for several properties especially in the south. For properties like Radisson BLU, it will mean almost 70% of their business. For others like The Park which is a small boutique hotel, it will mean smaller events for smaller groups. Other properties are looking at expanding their focus and looking at tier 2 and 3 cities for new business. This of course will not discount the fact that MICE will continue to contribute an important percentage of the business. The disappearance of a tourism season which earlier meant the arrival of the foreign tourist will be highlighted in 2018. The monsoons will continue to attract the domestic tourist and the Arab from the Khaleej. And yes let us not forget the Iranians who will visit the shores of Goa during their holidays.
The department in charge of Tourism has a senior executive who has promised greater interaction with the trade and the TTAG, conscious of the storm clouds on the horizon intend hope to tackle the issues like the taxi problem as well as the absence of a proper marketing plan. The year ahead will be interesting with the economy having come to terms with GST and demonetisation, old consumptions patters may return. Perhaps by then the confidence in the economy will have returned. That is something the pharma industry does not have to worry about. The state which has a large number of pharma majors in the state would like to see more companies establishing a base in Goa. Expansions have taken place but no new company has set foot in that sector. In addition they still insist on exporting their produce via Mumbai instead of Goa.
Like many sectors in the state it was a damp squib for mining and information and technology (IT) sector in Goa last year. The general feeling was that mining stopped due to Sonchi issue while the delay in IT policy affected the technology sector. Mining experts and owners also expect this year that some of their suggestions would be considered for a better mining environment.
Now that the drafting of IT Policy has been referred to a consultancy firm, the policy will not be launched before March this year and hence IT sector last year decided to go on their own without waiting for the government to launch its policy. This year however the players in the IT business would like to see an ecosystem that will encourage start-ups. With regards that other industry that drove the economy, mining the year ahead will be a different experience. The Make in India initiative should improve the utilization of lower grade mineral resources by upgradation and beneficiation and more importantly initiate environmentally sustainable environmental practises.
Life is all about hopes and dreams. Perhaps during the course of the year, time will tell us how it all panned out.
