TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: As the tourism season draws to a close, stakeholders pin hopes for a better season in 2013-14 as several issues continue to remain unresolved.
The tourist taxi operators claim that this year the Russians ruined the season for them.
Vinayak Naik, heading the North Goa tourist taxi association said, “We are fed up of speaking anymore of our problems as nobody is interested in resolving them.”
Naik said that single vehicle tourist taxi operators are suffering the most. “We may even have to think of stopping this business if justice is not done to us,” he said adding, that the government was not tightening the noose around those who are indulging in illegal activities.
The tourist taxi operators may also give the government a tough time in the new season if the plan to install meters was executed. There is a mixed opinion on this and could result in a deadlock.
The shack operators on the other hand claim that the season was not too bad even though shack licences were issued late.
“It is good that the government wants to issue licences early this time,” said Cruz Cardozo heading the Shack Owners Welfare Society.
He however added that the tourism ministry always talks about an early start for shacks. That licences would be issued for a longer period has been welcomed.
Cardozo felt that the license should be given for at least five years or more as the demand was for 10 years.
The shack operators are not likely to concede to installation of CCTVs or uniform designs for shacks in case the new policy entails such parameters.
The operators also insist on beach cleanliness systems before the new season begins.
The water sports operators however feel that much more needs to be done as far as regulation of the activity. Paul Silveira said, “This year a lot of systems were put in place which went on very well.”
But he insisted that those still venturing in violations should be brought to book or stringently monitored.
Silveira said that this season was not too good for the water sports operators. “I really don’t know how the next season would be,” he said.
The stakeholders claim that even though tourism figures show a hike in arrivals, they begged to differ on the issue claiming that it has not shown any results in terms of business. That the visa on arrival would benefit Goa and the local community, they said is a big question mark.
