PANJIM: The Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in Goa, Victor Albuquerque, on Tuesday conceded that a ‘small percentage’ of Russians are involved in drugs and equated them with ‘bad mangoes’.
“There are a lot of complaints that Russians are (involved) in drugs. A small percentage are in drugs. There are good tourists in large numbers except for a few bad mangoes in the basket. Talking in general, it will be everywhere,” he said. The Honrary Consul nonetheless urged the authorities to crackdown on the menace.
He said this at a media briefing where he contradicted reports in certain media that tagged Goa an unsafe tourist destination.
Reiterating that Goa continues to remain one of the safest tourism hubs, he was quick to add that most Russians are here for clean tourism and are high spenders.
“We talk of Russians and no Russians (referring to the total arrivals during tourist seasons). Now you see when there are no Russians. They still constitute 60-70 percent of the total arrivals in Goa,” he said
Albuquerque also pointed out to some minor irritants such as requiring overseas tourists to return in the same charter flight they arrived from.
“There are some genuine cases such as a tourist missing the charter flight he/she flew on to Goa. They have to wait for the same charter. The Director General of Civil Aviation should allow tourists to return by a different charter or any scheduled flight,” he stated. He added, “Extension of visas, loss of passports also need to be streamlined to assure tourists a hassle-free stay in Goa. These are small irritants but require a lot of paper work. It can spoil the holiday spirit especially at the end of their departure from Goa.”
Owing to geopolitical scenario in Egypt and Turkey, the Consulate and TTAG expect a good inflow of Russian tourists to Goa with Albuquerque expecting at least 1.5 lakh arrivals this season.
“We also expect about 700 charters from Russia in addition to a number of scheduled flights. The State has received 70 charters from the country so far,” he claimed.
Albuquerque further confirmed that there has been no advisory regarding ‘India no longer a “safe” destination for Russians’, contrary to what has appeared in sections of the media.
“However the Consul General in Mumbai confirms that it receives information and suggestions from tourists staying in Goa regarding some minor irritants. This does not make it an unsafe destination,” he said.
The Honorary Consul also informed that any advisory to Russian citizens will be issued by the Russian government or authorities through the Russian Consulate.
