Consulate representative backs activities of Russian tour operators by describing them as interpreters
TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CALANGUTE: Accusing many Russian tourists of illegally operating taxi business in the State, the North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association (NGTTOA) has demanded the immediate halt of such foreign tour operators, on grounds that they are posing a threat to their business.
On the other hand, a representative for the Russian Consulate, Adv Vikram Varma, has backed the activities of the Russian tour operators, describing them as interpreters helping their fellow Russians in the absence of tourist guides.
On Tuesday, a Russian tourist was confronted by local taxi operators after being accused of conducting tour operations.
“The NGTTOA has unanimously resolved to stop Russian tourists from getting involved in illegal taxi and other related business in the State. We want the government, especially the tourist department, to keep a check on the illegal trade by Russians who enter Goa on a tourist visa, as they are directly or indirectly affecting our business,” said NGTTOA Vice-President Ravindra Vengurlekar.
“We will submit a memorandum to the tourism department to initiate action as per the law without further delay to stop such illegal business by the Russian tourists,” Vengurlekar added.
Supporting their views, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo felt that “all Russians acting as reps and involved in taxi and other related business should be stopped from the illegal trade by the Goa Police to avoid any law and order situation.”
“Inaction by Goa Police could lead to clashes between the locals and foreigners. The Russians and other foreigners visiting Goa on tourist visa should be deported to their respective countries if they are found guilty of illegal business activity in the State. We should stop such illegal trade in Goa by foreign nationals,” Lobo added.
However, Adv. Verma felt that the Russian tourists were merely “interpreters” who were helping their fellow Russians in the absence of tourist guides.
“We are expecting 200,000 Russians to visit Goa this season and such a large number of Russian speaking tourists require both services and interpreters. Services like taxis, tours, restaurants, entertainment, hotels, lodges, etc should be provided by the locals. However, until the locals have created enough interpreters for these Russian tourists, assistance in language to these Russian tourists, many of whom are senior citizens, would be an aspect of courtesy rather than law,” Adv. Verma told Herald.
“While the law does not permit any foreign national from doing business on a tourist visa, our culture as well as law does not prohibit a Russian from assisting other Russians as an interpreter.”
“The Goan youth have tremendous potential and I do hope that the tourism industry with assistance from the Government can train enough locals in many foreign languages, so that even the need of interpreters is efficiently managed by the locals,” Adv Verma said.
