VIBHA VERMA
vibha@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Contrary to the stakeholders’ worry that the ban on sale of alcohol along highways would affect tourism in the State, the State feels that tourism in Goa is beyond liquor.
Tourism Department has allayed apprehensions that Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict banning liquor outlets within 500 mtrs of the National and State highways will in anyway impact the tourism industry.
“The order pertains to structures located within 500 mtrs of the highways. It does not cover the entire State. Nevertheless, tourists do not come to Goa only for liquor. There are many other factors that attract tourists to Goa,” Tourism Director Sanjeev Gauns Dessai told Herald. His comment comes at the time when tourism stakeholders, including Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, and liquor traders associations, are preparing to approach the new government to challenge the SC verdict.
“The SC order will have quite an impact because Goa is a place where people want to descend for good food, good restaurants, liquor and entertainment. Cuisine is one of the important ingredients along with the drink for many tourists. There has to be a crackdown on carrying liquor in the improper manner and also drunken driving,” TTAG President Savio Messias had told Herald in an interview last weekend. TTAG and the newly formed Goa Highway Affected Liquor Vendors Association are in discussions with related organisations to approach the new government that will be formed next month, urging it to challenge the order.
A senior tourism official contradicted the stakeholders’ claim arguing that not all tourists prefer visiting liquor outlets on the highways. “There are three kinds of tourists – high income spenders, middle and low income spenders. Those on short trips to Goa might look out for purchasing liquor from outlets on highways, but not others,” he stated.
The officer cited example of Kerala where despite a ban on liquor, tourism is flourishing.
