Decision to be implemented from next tourism season
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The next tourism season is likely to see new regulations in place that will bar foreign nationals on tourist visas from operating as tourist guides in Goa.
“If caught they will be fined and deported,” said a top official in the tourism ministry today.
While local travel agents will have to encourage their overseas counterparts to engage local guides, those still wishing to have a foreign tour guide will have to register with the tourism department after procuring all requisite approvals from the central ministry including business visas and so on.
The tourism ministry, which had a high-level meeting with travel agencies, tour operators, tourist guides and other stakeholders in Panjim on Tuesday, has reiterated the need for supporting local guides in Goa to conduct guided tours for tourists visiting Goa.
“Anybody working illegally or in violation of the rules will be dealt with severely under the law,” said this official.
Similarly, a strong message is also being sent out to unauthorised travel agencies and touts engaged in tourism-related businesses that action will be initiated against them under the Tourist trade act.
“We will start cracking the whip from the forthcoming season,” said the official.
The tourism ministry has also decided to conduct foreign language courses and training courses for local tourist guides in a bid to encourage more local Goans to engage in this tourism-related activity.
After the meeting, John Mascarenhas, South Goa Chief of the Human Rights Defenders, a body representing local tourist guides here in Goa, said, “A lot of decisions were taken at today’s meeting following our repeated complaints against foreign nationals working as guides.”
Mascarenhas said that the group wants action against the illegalities and the tourism department has promised to do so.
He also said that it was high time that action was also taken against dubious travel agencies operating in the State and the need for a clamp down on touting as well.
The registered local tourist guides also expressed resentment over local transport operators colluding with travel agencies who were taking away their business.
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) which also participated in the deliberations strongly advocated for action against the illegal guiding activities by foreign nationals on tourist visas at the world heritage sites.
Savio Messias, TTAG’s Vice-President said, “The problem of foreign nationals engaging in guiding and other tourism activities is creating unrest in Goa.”
Messias said that charters have been coming to Goa for more than three decades and this problem never existed in the past.
He said, “Tourist guides are needed to conduct tours and preference must be given to the locals.”
The travel agencies and tour operators on the other hand complained of shortage of registered tourist guides and guides who speak foreign languages. They pointed out that tourist guides give preference to cruise cliental thereby forcing charter cliental to fall back on agents engaged in illegal business.
