Currently Goa is grappling with footfalls in high-end tourists who came during the fag end of 2023. All this is happening in the midst of its peak season pointing to what lies in store ahead. Tourism Inflation is high and picking momentum by leaps and bounds, putting a direct dent into pockets of potential high spenders. Tourists look at their money’s worth in the bargaining power to get the maximum benefits in deals.
They are seeing that their hard currencies like $,£ etc lose shine when they use to fetch substantial values in the past, currently no longer give their money’s worth with inflation touching 7.3%. Moreover from our side offering power is diminishing, look at the upkeep of beaches, infrastructure, pollution of air, sea, food, water, music, noise etc are causing satisfaction constraints and a reciprocal drop in foreign arrivals. High-end tourists are very discerning, who easily distinguish the good from the bad and move on their choices. It’s dynamic, currently they might have found new destinations offering better deals and moved in there. Fleecing, and disparities in visible billings of locals v/s foreigners have had a negative impact, needs imminent correction.
We need to cater to their taste, provide music in conformity to their rhythms, not Bollywood style, decibels should be starkly reduced. Provide free Visa entries at airports and sea ports to ease their budgetary hassles. Hotel, taxi, rail, tariffs and GST on fuels foods, hotel stays and sundry should be lowered with uniform codes that do not burn holes in pockets. Hippies had put Goa on the world map with shoe string budgets in the late 60’s, incomparable to match with present-day high prices & inflationary budgets which have five-fold increased. Under such circumstances, they have no alternative but to cut short holidays or go to cheaper places. Neighbouring south eastern, or far eastern destinations offer the same basic sea, sun, sand with additional visitors top ups and awe inspiring amenities hard to resist. Goa is seeing an overall stagnation in tourism. Unless a paradigm shift is effectively done we will keep seeing more of low end tourists up swings and dwindling high-end tourist arrivals.
WThe government should be more proactive in every aspect and be involved from ground levels putting more emphasis on strict adherence to the rules of the day. Spate of tragic and deadly accidents plaguing Goa does not augur well for tourism which must come to an end. So does rapes, murders which are on a high need strict probing and follow up with exemplary punishments to enhance quality tourism.
Banning open to sky tourism in all forms on beaches, parks, pavements , gardens etc should be strictly implemented. Fishing, spiritual, bird watching, jetty tourism require encouragement in entirety as they are adored by middle aged visiting folks. It’s high time we correct our protocols and advisories to see a spurt in overall arrivals.
