The tourism industry is very important in the local economy. If it booms the economy in the state starts ticking along absolutely fine. The virus however caused much damage and jobs were lost in their thousands. The various protocols put in place to fight the virus did not help matters. Despite hotels being shut, the industry was not shut. The odd visitor would still come over but that was a case of few and far in between. Over a period of time, strictures were loosened and domestic tourists started coming in larger numbers. However the political class regularly made statements that added a bit of confusion. The recent example being one made by the CM Pramod Sawant who said the industry could start operating again in two months. But then that begs the question was it ever shut. The domestic tourists were already coming in. The CM it seems was talking about restarting charter flights and for that was contemplating writing a letter to the centre requesting that charters be allowed to land in Goa.
The few people who spoke had much to say. Savio Messias, Hotelier said he was not aware the tourism industry was closed during the pandemic period but he was aware the promotion of Goa had been stopped. He said “Tourists could and would come at any time and yes many of them were domestic tourists. Now international tourists are coming into the country but at a high cost. Promotion of Goa has definitely stopped by the department a few months ago. A statement was made that tourism would restart after the positivity percentage would drop below a certain number. Another statement by the tourism minister who said it would be possible once everyone in Goa was vaccinated. And now this statement by the CM. Who and what should we believe? We have to stick to certain guidelines”.
Ernest Dias, a senior executive at SITA said he along with others had met the CM and explained the situation on the ground. On how there was tremendous heat on everyone in the industry from the hotelier to the person offering boat rides to get some business. Ernest said it was now up to the CM to take things forward and speak to the Home Ministry. It was they who issued visas which were not happening now. They would have to then allow the charter flights to come through. Goa, he said, was the only place where charter flights landed. The delegation, he said, also made a promise to the CM that if the third wave commenced they would pull the charters. Other destinations like Egypt, Ernest said, had already started operations and were attracting very good business.
Nilesh Shah the President of the TTAG said it was time the charter flights commenced. He said “Indian tourists are going to Russia, why can’t they come here. We requested the CM to make a statement the charter business could start in October. It has to start again.” He said they had given a letter to the CM requesting a restart and reboot of International charters to Goa. In the letter, TTAG pointed out that tourism was one of the most adversely affected sectors for the Covid pandemic. The tourism sector employs over 40 million skilled and trained manpower and generates approximately US $29 billion foreign exchange per annum. With the full closure of international flights and visa’s since March 2020, many operators and stakeholders closed office and are facing severe financial constraints. They requested that charter flights be allowed to land in Goa especially from safe destinations who have allowed Indians to travel to their countries on tourist visa and international flights. This was already operating between two countries like Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. It urged that the same should be done here too. Tourists arriving in Goa, it pointed out, did not travel to any other state with a majority of them spending their time at their respective hotels so it becomes easy to control and monitor them.
To ensure this was all done in a proper manner an announcement be made immediately for opening of International tourist charters from October onwards so that foreign operators have time to market and prepare for the operations and this coming season is not lost. If by any chance there is any third wave of COVID-19 then announcement of cancellation of charter operations can be made by September or October. A special charter tourist package Visa to be worked out which can be issued manually by the local embassies or temporary landing permits can be issued on arrival to tourists, as done in the past. SOP’s to be put in place for all international arriving tourists like being fully vaccinated or negative RTPCR COVID-19 test report being done in 72 hours of travel. A dedicated area for arrivals and departures at the airport for these international passengers can also be worked out. Dedicated and reserved beds in the hospital for these passengers in case some passengers are tested positive can also be worked out. Finally all hotels, transporters and suppliers would have to follow strict SOP’s which by now they all are, post opening of domestic tourism.
It seems quite well thought out and one can only hope business picks up in the near future because its alternative is too horrendous to contemplate.
