Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after tourism stakeholders feared a drop in arrivals in view of Supreme Court (SC) order on the highway liquor ban, Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar has sought a detailed report from the department.
“I have asked my (tourism) department to study and submit the report whether the ban will have an impact on this industry,” he said as Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) members met Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to convey the difficulties traders will face as a result of the ban.
Azgaonkar said the CM has already been approached to ensure that a solution is worked out for this problem.
The industry has, however, said that there will not be no immediate impact as visitors to Goa have booked their holidays in advance but the impact will be huge in the coming tourist season.
“The impact won’t be visible so fast. People who have booked the tickets won’t cancel it. But those who are willing to come to Goa would think twice before deciding their trip to Goa,” TTAG President Savio Messias said.
Not only domestic tourists who come for cheap liquor, but all the stakeholders fear that inflow of international visitors might also be affected.
Meanwhile, Goa government will soon start a drive against Lamanis and vendors who trouble tourists. A crackdown on the drug trade in the tourist belt will also be carried out simultaneously with meeting of tourism officials and Goa police scheduled on Wednesday.
