Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), on Friday, claimed that the strike by the tourist taxi operators had an impact on tourism, with the visitors already starting to cancel their hotel bookings.
GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral said that the tourism was affected as no taxi service was available to pick the tourists from their hotels, thus forcing them to walk till the bus stations.
Although enough bus arrangements were made to ensure that tourists don’t face inconvenience, the buses were stationed at the designated stops only and were not involved in door-to-door services, said Nilesh.
“With the news that the strike will continue, the tourists have already started cancelling their hotel bookings. The Hoteliers have started receiving calls for cancellation,” Cabral said urging the taxi operators to call off their strike.
“Speed governors are compulsory and are being installed across the country. We cannot help it,” he added.
The Curchorem BJP MLA said that government will have to take some serious steps now, before tourism industry faces crisis like that of mining.
“The app-based taxi service is the need of the hour. We cannot depend on tourist taxis. They are taking government for a ride. I will propose the app-based tourist taxi service before government,” he said.
