TTAG Condemns Harassment of Ahmedabad Tourist, Demands Taxi Reforms and Strict Action in Goa

The Travel and Tour ism Association of Goa (TTAG) has issued a strong response to the recent ordeal of an Ah medabad tourist who was har assed by local taxi operators in South Goa, saying the incident highlights the urgent need for reform in the State’s taxi sector. In a statement, TTAG apol ogised to the tourist on behalf of all stakeholders in Goa. “We would firstly like to apologise to the lady for such appalling be haviour on the part of the taxi drivers outside her South Goa hotel. We strongly condemn such acts outside this hotel and any where in Goa,” the body said. TTAG called on the Goa gov ernment and police to identi fy those responsible and take firm action.

“The government and police must investigate and find out which taxi drivers were responsible for harassing this lady, and then take strict action to send a clear message that such behaviour of harassment and intimidation will not be tolerated anywhere in Goa. Such anti-tourism ele ments, who are tarnishing Goa’s image, must be dealt with firmly. Those responsible should also apologise to the lady at the earliest,” the association said. The industry body also urged the Chief Minister to re lease the long-pending taxi aggregator guidelines. “It is high time that technology is embraced in the taxi sec tor in Goa. More transparent and affordable transport options must be available to tourists as well as locals. We agree that operators’ input should be taken, but it should be constructive rather than blind opposition to technology,” TTAG noted. Pointing to a broader pattern, TTAG said harassment cas es were rising across the State. “There is a rising number of cases of harassment and intimidation outside many hotels in North and South Goa, as seen across social media.

This is very disappointing on the part of taxi drivers all over Goa. What is further disappointing is that hoteliers are not helping their guests and are turning a blind eye to what is happening just outside their hotels,” the body said. Aakash Madgavkar, TTAG Vice President (North Goa), stressed that all tourism stakeholders need to share respon sibility in preventing such incidents. “Together, we must play our part in ensuring tourists have a good experience in Goa. These incidents must be stopped at the earliest so that visi tors enjoy authentic Goan hospitality and not shocking expe riences that are embarrassing for the State,” he said. He added that tourists must always have freedom of choice. “A customer has the right to choose their mode of transport, whether booked online or offline, and should not be harassed by those taking the law into their own hands,” Madgavkar said. The TTAG North Goa VP also called for a zero-tolerance approach. “We urge the government to form a task force with top officials from the Transport, Police and Tourism departments along with TTAG so that immediate action can be taken in such cases and prevention measures put in place,” he said.

According to TTAG, technology-driven reforms and stricter law enforcement are essential to protect Goa’s im age as a safe and welcoming destination. “Technology is the way forward, and law and order has to be strictly enforced everywhere in Goa with a zero tolerance policy against such anti-tourism elements,” the body concluded. The statement comes in the wake of a video shared by the Ahmedabad tourist, in which she warned the public against visiting South Goa after alleging that taxi operators blocked her booked cab, harassed her driver, and forced her to walk in the rain with her luggage