TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CALANGUTE: The Russian Information Centre (RIC) in Goa on Thursday claimed that the Russian tourists were unnecessarily being targeted due to a rivalry between local taxi and tour operators, thereby creating discord among the locals and Russians in the State.
Addressing media persons at the Jam Point club in Calangute, Ekaterina Belyakova, the organizer of Goa.Peace.Jam project and the head of RIC in Goa, stated that a war between taxi operators and tour operators has created a fear in the minds of Russians, who are feeling insecure to visit Goa.
The press briefing had been convened ahead of the Jam Sessions ‘Goa.Peace.Jam’ event organised by RIC.
“The Russians are unnecessarily being targeted, though the local taxi and tour operators are involved in a fight over who should conduct the business. We only have Russians as translators while the beneficiaries of the tours are the Goans themselves. It will be better in the interest of everyone if the government steps in and resolves the issue,” urged Belyakova.
Anatasia Gritsay felt that installation of meters for taxis could resolve the issue.
“The taxi owners have been charging Russians tourists exorbitant rates. At times, the Russians are manhandled for no fault and the Russians are not involved in illegal trade.”
Advocate for the Russian consulate in Goa, Vikram Varma, clarified that the need for Russian translators had been felt in the absence of local guides fluent in Russian language.
Later, a musical evening was organized to foster goodwill among the Russians, taxi owners and others involved in tourism-related business.
