John Thomas (UK), writing on behalf of the faithful British tourists who have been visiting Goa for years, has painted a grim future for Goa tourism that should ring alarm bells in the industry (Citizenherald Jan 9). He has rightly pointed out that in the past Britons overlooked our shortcomings because of the value for money. But now the good natured Goans have become greedy and tourism is a rip-off. Tourists are looked upon as walking ATMs.
This is a very sad commentary on the state of tourism in Goa. We need to change the image of a greedy people out to fleece tourists. The first and last point of contact with foreign tourists is the taxi driver at the airport. They should be trained to be ambassadors of the State. Much of the ‘rip-off’ image sticks from the very start of the tourist’s holiday.
All stakeholders in the tourism industry too must realize that you cannot milk a cow forever. Now is the time to give back something or the cash cow will collapse and John Thomas and his ilk will say goodbye forever.
Robert Castellino, Calangute
