The slump in the tourism industry in Goa may not come as a surprise to many. Nonetheless, there is a silver lining to this dark fact. For fortunately the festive season, SFX exposition, EDM events, Visa on Arrival has seen some jump in the tourist statistics. Mind you it’s temporary, the usual steady flow and in turn the cash flow seems to evade us. Have we finally succeeded in squeezing the life out of the golden goose which laid golden eggs for us? Among many innumerable issues to be addressed a few that needs mention are:-
First and foremost, let’s accept the fact that we have fierce competition from other clean, cheap and well positioned destinations. Goa needs to seriously think of marketing itself effectively. The Kenna-Kenna tag line has predictably brought kenna-kenna guests which may peter off as kennach na guests.
We also need a very strong and powerful Brand Ambassador. We have a galaxy of stars and celebrities but no one to endorse our State. How long can we naively cling to the belief that ‘Goa is a brand in itself’ and as such does not require a Brand Ambassador. Yes, domestic tourist spells real business which can’t be left to fate.
We should seriously do a SWOT analysis of the State but a more realistic analysis of the foreign tours that are undertaken by an army of bureaucrats, politicians, kins, friends and foes alike all on a merry trip at the cost of the exchequers. Say, if they went to Italy, how many Italians did they convince to land here?
We need to have proper infrastructure, proper signages and moreover guest friendly approach especially by the taxiwallas and other transporters who want to fleece the guests the moment they touch Goan soil.
We need to deal with the garbage problem. ‘Swach Bharat-nittol Goa’ sounds fine, but we do need to have Solid Waste Management Policy in place. Not to forget the menace of stray dogs and cattle that needs to be addressed.
We need to make the safety and the security of our guests our priority, especially of the women. From Scarlet Keeling to a more recent incident of an international guest being molested by a stranger and subsequently by a doctor, sends wrong signals. If countries issue advisories to its travellers- we asked for it.
The Department of Tourism website needs to be updated regularly and more authentically.
We need a backup plan, we talk about MICE, Wedding, Eco-tourism etc, but all that we have witnessed is an unbridled growth of real estate.
