It is beyond a doubt that the tourism industry is going to take the biggest hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the world. There will be a general reluctance to travel for leisure purposes in the coming months, even after the threat of the virus has either been eliminated or reduced. The fact that this virus has spread through various countries makes almost every country vulnerable to it. There is no safe country where one can travel. There will be restrictions in place for a long period, and it is tourism, aviation and transport industries that are going to be the worst affected.
Goa, that depends enormously on tourism, is likely to take a big hit. When the State Tourism Minister himself goes on record appealing to the government not to allow tourists in Goa even after the lockdown is lifted a fortnight from now, unless they are certified negative for coronavirus, that itself indicates how fragile the future of the industry in Goa is going to be. Manohar Ajgaonkar has clearly said that this practice of a tourist being certified COVID-19 free should continue for another two years, till the situation across the world returns to normal. The minister also wants that the border be closed even after the lockdown is lifted.
There can be no argument on the suggestion that the borders must remain closed. Given the increasing number of cases in the two neighbouring States, this is non-negotiable until Maharashtra and Karnataka are declared COVID-19 free. When that will happen is what cannot now be predicted. Goa can claim that it has no active COVID-19 case at the moment, but it does not ensure that it is safe. Hence, when the Tourism Minister speaks of keeping borders closed and getting COVID-19 free certificates from travellers, it does make sense when it comes to protect Goa. However, for the industry that is staring at a season that has been truncated completely, such a statement from the minister will cause further consternation.
This is not a normal tourism season, and there is no hope that Goa can see a change in its tourism fortunes in the next one month, before it closes for the monsoon. Worse, given the minister’s suggestions, there is no hope that the tourism season that will start from October this year would be any better. This is not about the lockdown, this is about the fear of travelling that will keep people home, or will have them look at leisure breaks close to their places of residence, where they are certain that the virus has not penetrated. Business travellers are the only one who will risk moving out of their State or country.
The bottom line right now is that the tourism sector – whether in Goa or elsewhere – cannot expect an immediate recovery from the current crisis. It is going to take time, perhaps a year or more, before it can stand on its feet again.
That said, the Minister has also stated the State has decided to approached the Centre for financial help for tourism stakeholders. It is the State’s intention that a financial package be introduced so that hoteliers, vendors, shack owners and tourism dependents can re-start their businesses in the future. However, till date the Centre has been non-committal on any financial package for any industry that is facing a loss due to the pandemic and the lockdown. In the weeks and months ahead, there are going to be demands from all sectors for such relief, which the government is going to find difficult to meet. Can Goa afford to wait for this aid?
