SUNDAY, MAY 05, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major setback for Goa’s tourism industry, British charters will not be flying to the State this season owing to rapid increase in COVID-19 cases. If the situation prevails, stakeholders apprehend that Russian charter tourists might also hold back their entry into Goa and instead route to other countries.
TUI Airways, the only company bringing in UK tourists to Goa, has decided to cancel holidays from the origin country, at least till mid-December 2020.
“Unfortunately, as a result of the UK government travel restrictions to India we have been forced to suspend our programme to your destination. Even now, after weeks and months, sadly there is still no sign of relaxation which would allow TUI UK to resume operations to Goa in the immediate future,” Group Purchasing Director Helen Caron said in a letter to its partners in the hotel industry.
TUI’s letter to the Goa government informs that the group has cancelled their package travel programmes to Goa up to and including December 18, 2020.
“The health and safety of our customers and colleagues is always our highest priority, and we will continue to closely monitor the situation regarding future departures, whilst working with the UK Government in relation to future travel advice and the development of rates of infection in India,” the letter further said.
Apologising for cancelling the plans, Caron said the agency will update the authorities in Goa on possible resumption of operations.
Goa had two companies bringing charters from the UK but with the sudden closure of Thomas Cook around two years ago, TUI increased their number of flights from four per week to five. However, with the latest development and Government of India delaying opening of airports for international movement, tourism in Goa could be further hit at least in the first half of the tourist season.
Herald spoke to the President of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Nilesh Shah who said they are following up the matter with the State government. “We have been doing a continuous follow up with the Goa government requesting them to do a follow up the matter with the MHA to allow us operate air bubble for tourism specific purpose from Russia and UK. In fact our CM has already written a letter to the MHA placing our request. He has also approached the Ministry of Civil Aviation. But unfortunately, the Government of India has not taken a final decision on opening of airports and allowing free flow of international flights,” he said.
“It’s a big blow to the tourism industry…They (TUI) are saying they will begin flying its customers after the government issues relaxation…” TTAG’s immediate past president Savio Messias told Herald while commenting on the TUI’s decision.
While UK charters recorded five per week, until last season, which ended abruptly due to the pandemic, around 8-10 charter flights were flown from Russia to Goa’s Dabolim airport. Russians are amongst the top visitors to Goa followed by UK tourists. With no charters from these two countries, Goa is certain to lose a large chunk of tourists. Communication from charter operators of other countries are still awaited, a source revealed.
The TTAG is however expected a low international tourist season with second wave of COVID-19 hitting some parts of Europe and several visitors likely to postpone their plans for visit to other countries. Domestic tourism could prove a boom, Shah said.
