State to request MHA for charter landing permission

Team Herald

PANJIM: With a positive approach on reopening tourism for international travellers following adequate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the Goa government has decided to write to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) seeking permission for landing of charter aircraft in the State for the upcoming tourism season beginning October this year. 

Addressing media persons, after meeting members of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said the State government is positive on restarting international tourism from October, but the decision depends on the Central government.

“We will be writing to the MHA seeking permission for charter flights landing in Goa from October. If MHA permits, we can go ahead with it, following proper SOPs,” Sawant said, adding, “Though we are positively thinking on starting tourism, nothing has been finalised so far.”

Sawant said the government will also review the COVID-19 situation in the State for August-September and accordingly decide. “If the third wave hits the State during this period, then we will definitely reconsider the decision on starting international tourism,” he said.

The Chief Minister said TTAG has requested that the issue of charter landings in Goa be taken up with the Centre.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, the Central government has stopped issuing tourist visas to international travellers for the last one-and-half years. Except for bubble flights, regular international flights have been banned till September. 

TTAG members led by president Nilesh Shah called on the Chief Minister requesting that charter flights be permitted from the coming season. They suggested that charter flights be allowed from Russia and CIS countries, which have already permitted Indian tourists in their country.

Speaking to the media, Shah said the Central government needs to start issuing tourist visas to international travellers and allow charter landings to boost the tourism sector across India. 

“Russia and CIS countries have already allowed Indian tourists there following proper SOPs. We can also start on similar lines. The Indian government should start the visa portal. They need to make an announcement now, so that we can accept bookings and the international tourism season can start in October-November, this year,” Shah said. 

Stating that Goa’s COVID-19 positivity rate is below 5 per cent, Shah said the time has come to revive the tourism sector and State economy. “We are already receiving domestic tourists. The occupancy of starred hotels is around 20 to 25 per cent. Weekends are good but still there are nearly 3000-odd hotels that are closed. They depend on charters and international tourists,” he said, adding, “Resumption of international tourism will also help revive allied activities.”

Shah said the tourism industry is in very bad shape, especially the small business operators. He pointed out that nearly 1.40 lakh people are directly or indirectly dependent on the tourism sector for their livelihood.