This is with reference to “more foreign jaunts for tourism babus (Herald dated Jan 10). Tourism officials are slated to travel abroad later this month to promote brand Goa. They will also ‘scientifically study’ tourism markets in different countries.
We are thoroughly fed up of these ‘studies’ in foreign countries. For years ministers and officials have been undertaking these studies with little or nothing to show for their ‘knowledge’. In the meantime European tourists have shifted their preferences to other cheaper destinations. If the Rouble slide is not contained we can say goodbye to the Russians next season. The situation is very bleak.
These foreign study tours will achieve nothing. First we need to know what these officials learnt during study tours all these years . If they learnt anything that knowledge must be put to use now. If they did not learn anything they should be made to reimburse the expenditure incurred on their foreign tours. Finally only those officials who have a good track record of attracting tourists and implementing ideas picked up in foreign countries may be permitted to make such study trips. Every official going abroad must be made responsible for attracting either directly or indirectly at least 5,000 tourists. No more free lunches.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
