Your editorial “Spruce up the act or face the music” was in fact, not the music to my ears as you have clearly stated “Most of the News was of crimes against foreign tourists in Goa that made it in Russian Media” and this is nothing new as we all know how good we are in tackling crime against our own citizens, leave alone foreigners.
You have pointed out few reasons why tourist traffic is dwindling in Goa and the false ceiling coming off and injuring the passengers at the New Terminal at Dabolim International Airport may be a minor mishap, which of course, can be repaired to the extent it can never happen again. I am sure you are not hinting at “and that is one of the reasons, we badly need MOPA” (take it easy!) But, there are major issues to be tackled, if we are really serious about improving tourism industry in Goa.
Besides crimes, rapes, thefts, cheating, bribes and you name it, there are small things which we can improve upon. For example, at every junction or police check point, one sees mostly couples stopped by policemen to check on the helmets or driving license and that takes hours to settle especially when young women riding as pillion riders with short pants and half open tops, I am not sure if they have to grease the palms. Why can’t we solve this by handling over some leaflets or fliers to the incoming tourists and also publishing in the Russian Media, our Rules & Regulations?
Cleanliness: I am not saying we have to beautify our Golden Beaches as they are naturally beautiful but what we have done to keep them clean? Look at the Colva Beach, one look just when you enter it is enough for a tourist to judge the rest. What about improving the narrow roads? Except Matanhy Saldanha Complex, almost all the Government buildings are painted red by unwanted painters. You can see them clearly when the lifts go off and you have to walk the stairs.
I can write volumes on this subject but space in this column will not permit me to do so.
Bikinis or no bikinis at all, let the tourists enjoy the natural beauty of Goa, naturally, of course!
