Team Herald
MARGAO: Goa's tourism industry has recently faced unprecedented challenges, with climate change emerging as a major threat to its sustainability. This growing concern is acutely felt by small tourism stakeholders, who are grappling with increasingly frequent and severe weather conditions.
These small businesses, often family-run and deeply rooted in Goan communities, are on the front lines of climate chaonge impacts. Beach tourism, the cornerstone of Goa's economy, is particularly vulnerable to erratic weather patterns. Stakeholders report worrying trends of excessive rainfall, rising tides, and coastal erosion, all of which directly affect their operations. A shack owner in Canacona lamented the lost operating days due to bad weather, describing how the once-reliable seasons have become unpredictable.
A boat owner from Vasco noted, "Many people have taken loans to invest in vehicles and boats, we are struggling." The human cost of these disruptions is profound. Small business owners are increasingly caught between loan repayments, operational costs, and dwindling income due to unpredictable weather. Perhaps most concerning is the lack of awareness and action regarding the long-term viability of Goa's tourism industry in the face of climate change.
A hotelier from Mobor added that they are not only dealing with immediate weather-related disruptions but also facing longer-term shifts in tourist behaviour, such as last-minute cancellations, changing regulations, and the need to adapt their business models to a new climate reality.
The erratic weather also makes outdoor events and weddings a nightmare to plan and execute. In 2021, Goa recorded rain in every month of the year. “No matter how meticulously we plan an event, bad weather can unravel it all. At the last minute, clients expect us to erect canopies or shift all décor and set-up indoors. When ticketed events get cancelled, refunds need to be issued. Unexpected rain also damages sound equipment and then the costs just pile up – it’s daunting,” says a Margao-based event manager.
Infrastructure challenges brought about by intense rainy seasons further compound the difficulties faced by tourism operators. During the rains, many of Goa's roads, particularly those leading to popular tourist destinations, suffer severe damage. Potholes turn into craters, creating hazardous conditions for both tourists and locals. The lack of proper street lighting worsens the problem, making nighttime travel daunting and dangerous. Overgrown vegetation along roadsides, left untrimmed due to budget constraints or overwhelmed maintenance schedules, further narrows road space and obscures visibility. Waterlogging due to inadequate drainage systems sometimes makes roads impassable, inconveniencing tourists and creating hardships for locals commuting to work in hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related establishments.
The severity of this situation was recently highlighted in the Goa Legislative Assembly by Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas. He pointed out that even highly reputed starred resorts are affected by these infrastructure issues. Poor road conditions, lack of proper lighting, and the overall unkempt appearance of tourist areas during the rainy season present an unwelcoming sight to visitors, damaging Goa's reputation as a premier tourist destination. This not only affects the immediate tourist experience but could have long-lasting impacts on the industry, as disappointed visitors may be less likely to return or recommend Goa to others.
There is a growing sense of urgency among small tourism stakeholders for more robust engagement from Goan policymakers, industry leaders, and the public.