Team Herald
PANJIM: With uncertainty looming large over the arrival of charter flights from United Kingdom and Russia which constitute the largest chunk of foreign tourists to Goa, the government has asked tourism stakeholders to start exploring new markets to encourage visitors to the coastal state.
Last year, the Centre had withdrawn the e-visa facility for UK and Canada travellers, reportedly as a reciprocal action to those countries not extending the same facility to Indian nationals. This has resulted in cancellation of several charters from these country. On the other hand, the war with Ukraine has resulted into cancellation of charters from Russia.
Speaking to mediapersons on Thursday, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said tourism industry and stakeholders have already been told to start exploring other opportunities and new markets and not to depend only on UK and Russia for high-end tourists.
“There are bilateral issues with UK following the statement that Indians are the largest migrants overstaying their visas. Though the person making such statement is taken down by the UK government, it has affected the relationship between the two nations,” Khaunte said.
Khaunte was referring to the statement by former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who has now resigned from the government. The India-UK trade deal has been snared by Braverman’s comments about Indian migrants overstaying their visas.
“One needs to understand…Nation first…the removal (of Braverman) shows the strength of our nation,” the Minister said, while adding that ‘we are concerned about tourism’.
“With the latest development, I am confident that bilateral issues between India and UK will get resolved soon…we are hopeful that the first thing that will take place is restoration of e-visa to UK citizens,” he added.
Khaunte said the Chief Minister has been constantly following up the matter with the Union Home Ministry. During his recent meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had raised the issue of e-visa with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured to resolve the issue soon.
