Team Herald
PANJIM: Taking strong cognizance of various malpractices affecting tourism industry, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday warned of strict action against those harassing and looting tourists while appealing the stakeholders not to take undue advantage of tourists.
Addressing State level function to mark the 61st Goa Liberation Day, Sawant said that strict action will be taken against all those harassing and looting tourists in the name of tourism thus disrupting the industry.
“Tourism is part of Brand Goa initiative. Our focus will be to see that tourists arriving in the State get good and safe transport system. Those trying to harass and loot tourists will not be tolerated. This is my strong message to all those involved in such practices. Taxi operators and tour operators will have to work in coordination with the government,” he said.
Later speaking to media on the sidelines of the event, the Chief Minister said that tourism has always been government’s priority.
“We have come across tourists complaining of exorbitant taxi fares. Stakeholders, be it taxi operators, hotels…are taking undue advantage of tourists by levying exorbitant charges…be it taxi, flights or hotels…everything has to be brought under control…government will not tolerate such activities,” he said.
The Chief Minister was speaking while referring to an incident of last week wherein a group of American tourists who arrived on a cruise liner at the Mormugao port were harassed by taxi operators. A group of 100 American tourists who had arrived at the Port, could not proceed on a sight-seeing trip after irate taxi operators stopped them from boarding designated buses.
