Goa has opened the flood gates for tourists with great expectations that footfalls during monsoon would increase. Goa hopes that those who are fatigued under the lockdown for nearly three months would like to travel out, especially to Goa and relax with their family and friends. However, the bigger question, is whether people will keep tourism on priority at this stage when COVID-19 is spreading widely across the world.
A look at the expectations of the tourism stakeholders and their in-house safety protocols
he newly-appointed President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), Nilesh Shah, believes that the start will be slow and majority of the tourists will come to Goa in their own vehicles; and those who will trust the hotels and administration in the State. He further felt that the logistics like airlines and trains for travelling to Goa is also not fully operational at this point of time. He also pointed out that the govt should come forward to support the industry.
“We have not got any major support to the travel and tourism industry except for moratorium on EMIs of loans. Even the municipality and the garbage tax and exorbitant electricity bills continue during this pandemic,” said Shah.
“Opening up of tourism is a welcome move and it is an important message to the world that Goa is open to welcome tourists. It is better to start when the rush is likely to be less so that all stakeholders are aware of the new protocols and SOPs. As of now people will travel only if they have excess money and are stressed out by staying locked in their homes. Also, it is true that hotel occupancy will not go beyond 10-15% for this month. We now have to live with this phenomenon,” Shah added.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Travel Committee of GCCI and also TTAG’s Vice- President, Jack Sukhija endorsed the concept of “internal” tourism within the State, which means Goans going out of their homes and staying in hotels and resorts in Goa for a change.
“I think lot of people will do that and it could be good start but we need to have protocols and SOPs for that too. It will surely set in the motion but revenue wise it may not be very fruitful. I do not think that Goa market is big enough but it can be a start and is better than nothing,” Sukhija added.
On the opening of tourism, he said presently, it is very unlikely that tourists will come to Goa in big numbers at least for a month or two. “Even the flights are flying a load of 25-30% all over India. Some people will surely come who could be senior executives who can stay in a hotel here and work from the luxury room just for a change. I fear that occupancy will not go above 8-10% . It is signal that we have started and it’s a positive step. The best one can do is to follow the safety protocols and SOPs and keep all safe at leisure time,” said Sukhija.
Elsewhere, Anand Chatterjee, Head of Planet Hollywood Inc India and GM of Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Goa explained that the guest and team entry points Planet Hollywood has a process of temperature check and oxygen saturation check for all. “Planet Hollywood Beach Resort, Goa has been ready with all precautions for some time now. We have PPE kits with face shields, masks for all employees, sanitisation tunnel at guest and team entry points, hundreds pedal operated sanitization points at various team and guest areas, temperature check and oxygen saturation level checks. All goods and materials are brought in after sanitisation. We also have isolation block and doctors, dieticians, psychologists on call round the clock. We shall operate with optimal occupancy level and all seating, dining areas have been spaced out for social distancing,” said Chatterjee.
Speaking about protocols kept in place, Hard Rock Hotels have developed the SAFE + SOUND program in collaboration with worldwide health and sanitisation specialists Ecolab and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) to help ensure the health and safety of our guests while on property. Ecolab works closely with the CDC, WHO, EPA, FDA, and other leading health organizations to help establish best practice guidance for protecting guests and team members. “Before the reopening process, Hard Rock Hotel Goa has been independently assessed by an NSF auditor and passed a 272-point inspection, ensuring that our hotel is SAFE + SOUND compliant, and that we have proper health and sanitization protocols in place to keep our guests and team members safe,” the hotel’s management added.
