MAPUSA: The President of North Goa District Congress Committee, Vijay Bhike alleged that the Modi-led central government ignored Goa despite it being the biggest tourism destination in the country.
While addressing the media on Tuesday, he slammed the BJP government at the Centre and State for hurting the tourism industry, which was generating revenue for Goa.
“The chartered flights to Goa have reduced drastically during the BJP tenure. At present we have around 250 charters that are coming to Goa which is a huge drop in numbers. The local tourist from around the country consisting of youngsters and newly married couples visiting the State has also dropped. The foreign tourist arrivals have also dropped by almost 55 per cent,” he said at the North Goa District Congress Committee office in Mapusa.
“The other tourists coming with their own vehicles are being harassed for minor issues. Some are made to pay fines to the tune of Rs 3000 to Rs 4000. Those travelling on rented bikes are stopped by the traffic police at every nook and corner. Who would want to come back to this state after having a bad experience,” questioned Bhike.
The various stakeholders in the tourism industry are being harassed and not allowed to carry out their business smoothly. “The hotels, shacks owners, taxi drivers and others who are dependent on tourists are the ones affected. Many educated Goan youth who are unemployed are working in small hotels and beach shacks to earn a living. Seeing the drop in tourist and blow to the tourism industry they are frightened they may lose their jobs,” said Bhike.
