For
international travellers who are in Goa, there’s an elephant in their holiday space they don’t
quite understand. It’s called ‘Code of conduct’. Looking quizzically at the
bartender David Froth from the UK asked why did the music stop at a very
popular nightclub in the North coastal belt. The bartender quipped ‘By the time
I answer your question, time will be up for your last drink. So do you want
your answer first or your drink?”
The bartender wasn’t
quite joking. The ‘code of conduct” is in reality a chastity belt for party
goers in Goa as well as nightlife stakeholders- clubs, restaurant owners
leading up to the general elections
International
travellers come to Goa from countries as diverse as Russia, Germany, the UK and
a smattering of visitors from East European and the odd Scandinavian country.
Nicole and her
husband who are holidaying in Goa from the UK did not understand the
restrictions the code of conduct had placed on the nightlife, More specifically
on the consumption of alcohol and the restrictions on timings of restaurants
operations. Nicole said “It’s a sad thing to do this to a place which is known
for its nightlife. Why would we want to come here again if we can’t party, also
not just for us but for the entire restaurant industry’s business gets affected
and it’s not the right thing to do.”
They understood the
importance elections but were unable to understand the ban on the consumption
of alcohol beyond 10.30. Restaurants have to shut operations by 11 o clock.
Restauranteurs, this journalist spoke to said it was not unusual for police
vehicles to patrol intensely in the area and for police personnel to walk in
and check if alcohol was being served after 10.30. There was no possibility of
a negotiation with regards to extending the 11 o’clock deadline because all
these strictures came down from the centre.
Sabrine of Black
Sheep Bistro said they were waiting for the circular which was expected to come
today. Since they did not play live music they did not have problems on that
score. They were shutting down at 11 o clock and with regards to the business,
she did say there was a hit but couldn’t quite quantify it.
Ritesh Marande, the
Assistant Manager of Copper Leaf said the election season was always tough on a
state like Goa which depended on tourism. The outlet had stopped serving
alcohol after 10.30 and this had meant that numbers had been affected. When
asked how much business had been affected by, he said “By around 30 %, that has
been the hit we have taken”.
The fact the
elections are being held at a time when the peak season for the international
tourist has ended may be a source of some solace for the hospitality industry.
Avinash the Manager at Tuscany Gardens, Candolim, said he had a tough time
dealing with foreigners who were here on a holiday and wanted to have a
relaxing time eating food and consuming large quantities of alcohol. He said
“Their argument is that they are foreigners and they have nothing to do with
the election process, neither are they voting in it and so why are they being
punished for it.” He however added that since the peak season was past and the
numbers had dropped dramatically in the last twenty days. He said the
experience during the assembly elections which were held in January was
terrible because it was smack in the middle of the tourist season and there was
a ban on the sale of alcohol.
Another night spot which
usually becomes very popular after 11 o clock, Cohiba is shutting operations
every day at 11o clock. Sebastian the Manager of the outlet said “People now
come at 10 clock, our last drink is either 10.30 or 10.45 and by 11 o clock we
are closed. We follow the rules to a T”. Kapil Vohra of Picadally smiled when
asked how he was affected. He said “Tourism is down anyway and everyone has
left. The local Goan has gone off on a holiday and so no one is really coming
to the outlet. Lent is also on. Our last drink order is at 10 o clock and were
shut shop on time. Our food business is fine but the sale of alcohol has been
hit dramatically”.
Rumana of Thaal said
it was not unusual for the police to come in and check the outlet. Earlier the
outlet would shut by 12 o clock but now it would all fall silent by 10.30.
Business had certainly been hit but as she put it , nothing can be done about
it.
Perhaps
the final word should go to Gideon D’Costa, operations manager of De Candolim
Deck who said “It’s not just us who is suffering but even the customers are not
liking it. Forget live music, one can’t play ambiance music after 10, people
end up overhearing each other’s conversations and this is not what they come
for. So many charters have been cancelled and this is affecting the tourism for
the state badly. People who have made these policies haven’t thought about the
aftermath of it and it’s really a sad state of affairs.”
