PANJIM: Being a popular tourist destination with several lakh visitors descending to every bit of Goa all round the year, the State has unarguably also experiences the dark side of tourism. Violations of various Acts in force besides criminal activities have hampered tourism, Lida Joao Da Silva Luis e Kenkre, chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) South Goa said on Thursday.
Speaking during a discussion on Tourism and Digital Transformation, Kenkre also highlighted how underage children have become vulnerable to wrong doings. “Trafficking of drugs, immoral activities, spitting all over the place despite The Goa Prohibition of Smoking and Spitting Act in place, improper garbage disposal plan are hampering tourism. Moreover, beggar menace particularly child begging is a big topic of concern and excessive alcohol consumption among youngsters and children, which lead to accidents are plaguing issues,” she said while participating in a panel discussion organised by Don Bosco College (Department of BBA – Travel and Tourism) in association with Travel and Tourism Association of Goa.
The CWC chairperson also cited instances wherein children from other states, carrying lakhs of money with themselves, holiday in Goa without their parents’ knowledge. “They book travel tickets and accommodation on their own (through digital). In one case, when these children were asked for their credentials they didn’t have any to produce and were ultimately brought to the CWC. We had to get them repatriated,” she said also cautioning that children are soft targets of drug traders and human traffickers.
Milind Anvekar, vice president of Open Destinations Ltd (Goa) explained how technology taken a lead accompanied by challenges. “There are risks and opportunities and the key challenge is performance and delivery of services. We have to deliver in time to meet seasonal requirements; else the opportunity is lost because people have many options he said. The panel discussion also had Peter Pinto, President of British Business Group, Goa and TTAG’s Jack Sukhija.
