The cliche that “Tourism is the Pillar of Goan Economy” needs a fresh outlook. We have been literally taking Tourism and moreover the Tourists for granted. There’s a need for fresh attitudinal changes failing which tourists will seek viable options elsewhere. If calling it a Spade is what it takes, then so be it but Goans have to wake up to our Growing Intolerance to Tourists vis-à-vis the ever-growing competition around us. Over the years, we seem to have developed a Nonsensical Compartmentalisation of Tourists based on their country/state of origin, language, colour etc. Such biased attitude, name-calling etc is simply Bad Business. We need to appreciate that Every Tourist is Our Esteemed Guest and deserves Equal Parameters of Respect and Friendliness.
The famous Goan Hospitality is not merely an etiquette inside a 5 Star hotel, it’s an inborn Attitude of every Goan and should be exhibited everywhere without bias. Secondly, our issues are our very own and should not affect the vacations of our Tourists. When Guests come to our homes, we don’t bother them with our petty domestic problems, instead we try our level best to make their stay in our home most comfortable.
Similarly, our internal issues shouldn’t affect the tourists who come with High Expectations of Joyful Vacations and Goan Hospitality. Every stakeholder, be it a Luxury Hotel, Homestay, Taxi Driver, Police, Lifeguard or tourist guide, all need to treat each tourist with respect and make every conceivable effort to make their time in Goa a wonderful memory for them. Each Goan, whether connected to the Hospitality sector or not, can contribute to tourism development, be it the office going citizen who takes time to give directions to the tourists or the local youngster helping out a tourist with a flat tyre; we’re all Brand Ambassador’s of GoaTourism.
Respect & Friendliness are the simplest yet most effective forms of marketing that will increase the inflow of tourists to Goa besides bringing a sense of well-being and pride for all Goans.
Uniformity and Transparency in services is another aspect that needs to be ensured at all stages of tourism related activities.
We need to understand that tourists are also citizens like us who don’t like to be taken advantage of and that they expect uniformity & transparency in services and rates with quality expectations for what they pay. Discriminatory rates and services will turn tourists away from Goa. Image Building is a Collective Effort and Everyone including our elected representatives can play a major role by promoting tourist friendly practices and Boost the Image of Goa as the World’s Top Tourist Destination.
Development of Tourism infrastructure must be strongly complemented with Radical Changes in our Attitudes towards the tourists by accepting them not as Tourists but as our Esteemed Guests. Let’s Awaken the Friendliness & Hospitality ingrained in the Goan psyche and Be the World’s Best Hosts !
(Rohan Khaunte is the Tourism Minister of Goa)
