PANJIM: The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has strongly supported the Government’s stand for app-based tourist taxis. This is in line with the view taken by the Chamber since long.
In a statement issued, the GCCI has stated that it wants local taxi owners to thrive in their business by adapting to the latest trends in business and the app will be beneficial to them especially as all the taxis operating under this app will be local taxis only.
The statement further reads, “The taxi owner is the first point of contact especially to the high-end tourists who come to Goa by air and the impression that is created is the lasting one, which unfortunately is not something that Goa can be proud of, as the tourists are subjected to exorbitant charges.”
The GCCI feels that some of the apps, which are functional in other States may not address the problems faced by local taxi owners, therefore the app needs to be developed locally. User friendly initiatives incorporating and providing solutions to the day-to-day problems faced by the taxi owners like renewals of permits and licences should be offered online and this facility should be linked to all the concerned government departments, the GCCI mentioned .
“Ultimately all these steps not only will help to improve the image of Goa as a tourist destination but will help to spread the message that Goans really follow the tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhav’,” it stated.
The GCCI expected a comprehensive app taking care of problems faced by tourists as well as local taxi owners is developed thus creating a sense of financial and operational security for the taxi owners and at the same time ensuring that the visitors to Goa experience their ride in comfort both for their body and soul.
