PANJIM: In a bid to encourage a larger number of foreign tourists to visit Goa, the State government is toying with the idea of partially refunding visa fees to the overseas visitors.
A high-level meeting called of tourism stakeholders and experts, chaired by Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar, discussed the decrease in tourist arrivals this season.
Stakeholders opined that high visa prices, formalin-in-fish are major issues that led to the downfall of tourism this season.
“Some people said visa rates were high and had to be brought down. We will appeal to the Centre to try to give tourist some subsidy and try to get more tourists,” Azgaonkar told the media after the meeting.
He said once the decision is reached they would try to pass it in the State Cabinet. “We discussed problems of the stakeholders but I do not think there is anything much, the only major issue was visa fees,” he said.
On taxis he said there are many complaints of overcharging. “Taxi is a subject of the Transport Minister and I do not want to say anything. But till the meters are installed there won’t be any solution to overcharging,” he said.
Small and Medium Hoteliers Association president Serafino Cotta said that the visa was the main issue discussed. “Even though visa is a Central subject, we have found a way to refund the visa fees. It can be 25 per cent, 30 per cent or even 50 per cent,” he said, adding that this is just a suggestion which the Tourism Minister has assured to take forward.
Asked how the refunds would be worked out, Cotta said, refund counters will be set up at airport like the VAT refunds at many international airports. “However, we have decided that it should be only for those who stay at registered hotels,” he said.
He said the government is worried that after mining even tourism has collapsed. “Finnair has stopped, tourists are going to other places and we needed to find out why?” he said.
He said that besides visas, the formalin-in-fish issue has also affected as it is expensive and secondly they doubt the quality. “Tourists are shying away from fish,” he said.
Azgaonkar said that he would also work with other government departments, namely police and local authorities, to ensure a clean and safe environment for tourists visiting Goa. He urged stakeholders to deliberate with Goa Tourism and review the marketing strategy in terms of its promotions.
Tourism stakeholders urged the minister to look into issues concerning harassment to tourists, nuisance caused by organised begging at tourist locations, unreasonable taxi charges by local operators, high GST, pathetic condition of accesses to tourist locations, parking problems for long haul flights at Dabolim, incentives to the hospitality industry etc.
Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), led by its president Savio Messias, assured Azgaonkar to shortly submit a report on problems irking tourism in Goa which would help the government tackle them, and assured that tourism stakeholders would work out mechanisms with the government for improving tourism.
Tourism Director Sanjiv Gadkar, Dy Director Rajesh Kale, GTDC GM Gavin Dias and members of the State Level Marketing and Promotion Committee, Nandan Kudchadkar and Abhijeet Walke were present.
