FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
t’s December and Goa has entered the peak phase of the tourism season, yet the government looks lost.
The month has begun with the most dreadful news of a Russian woman being raped by two room-boys at a hotel in Calangute, once again raising questions on the security and safety of tourists, especially women, on the beaches of Goa.
The tourism sector is in a mess with never-ending issues plaguing the industry. From deaths due to drugs to brutal assault at nightclubs, from illegal structures on the beaches to illegal hawkers, from dog menace on the beaches to hair standing loud music late into the wee hours, the tourism industry has turned into a spoiled brat of the government.
The concerted efforts by locals and activists, and supported by Herald through its reportage ensured a victory over the suffering of many due to illegal loud decibel music leading to sleepless nights day-after-day. The High Court had to direct the police to stop all the outdoor music events beyond 10 pm.
Goans had to rely on the court once again to provide relief from the ever mushrooming illegal structures on the beach belt in North Goa. The High Court took suo motu cognizance of as many as 271 illegal structures on the Anjuna beach stretch and directed the panchayat to act against them.
The 271 illegal structures are only the tip of the iceberg, with the stakeholders estimating around 60 per cent of the existing rental spaces in the State to be illegal. The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has for a long time demanded a strong action against these illegal rental spaces.
For the Tourism Minister to shrug his shoulders and passing the buck on to the police is not just naive but also irresponsible. It’s nine months that the new government took oath in March and the department had ample time to co-ordinate the shared responsibilities. Yet, the government has failed on every single front.
Since the onset of the monsoon, a time when the Tourism Department should have been busy drawing up plans for the main tourism season, the officials were busy defending the proposed Jetty Policy which received a backlash from every nook and corner of the State. To the extent, the Captain of Ports confronted the Tourism Department over breach of powers.
After the closure of mining, tourism steadfastly took over the responsibility of being the backbone of the State’s economy. However, except for some cosmetic changes, the ground reality is far from providing the impetus to the high inflation and unprecedented rate of unemployment-suffering economy of Goa.
The government can have no excuse for the falling standards of the amenities that the State’s tourism sector should be provided. It can neither blame the erstwhile governments, because the present ruling dispensation led by the BJP is in power for more than a decade.
Tourists being overdosed with drugs, assaulted by goons and the unsolved problem of taxis, only add to the bad name and shame that the State receives.
Therefore, as a responsible government, the Cabinet led by the Chief Minister should provide all the possible help the Tourism Department needs and if required act with an iron fist against illegalities. It cannot spare the culprits due to the money might and the political influence they carry locally.
Ahead of the much awaited peak fortnight of the tourism season, government must ensure that not just the roads are maintained and basic beach amenities provided, but also in the light of the law and order situation, safety of tourists tops the list of priorities.
