Team Herald
PANJIM: The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has urged the new Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik to coordinate with the government and the Centre to reduce the escalating fuel prices in the State.
In a comprehensive representation to the union minister, the TTAG claimed that rising fuel prices will adversely affect the already fragile tourism sector in Goa.
“We urge you to reduce the fuel prices in the State at the earliest to help all Goans by reducing the VAT payable as was done in the past. The rising fuel prices have led to rise of basic commodity prices at a time when there is no income for most people and a lot of tourism accommodation use generators which consume fuel,” reads an extract of the representation submitted by a delegation of the Association led by its President Nilesh Shah.
The TTAG further strongly urged to provide the relief measures and make an announcement in this connection adding “This will go a long way in helping the tourism industry in Goa at this time of crisis.”
TTAG asked for a travel bubble with the countries like Russia, UK and Poland from where Goa receives charters considering that Goan charter contributes 92 per cent of India’s charter business. These charter flights should be allowed to land into Goa with SOP’s similar to those provided for domestic travel – fully vaccinated / RT-PCR test validity of 72 hours / testing facility on arrival.
“In these COVID-19 pandemic times we are facing great difficulties, which need to be restored by taking necessary steps in the matter to restore travel directly into Goa under the Bubble Travel Policy for tourism. Goan Charters constitute of 92 per cent of India’s charter business. All the SOP’s that have been brought out by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have not dealt with the requirements of the Charter business, which is a Goa specific issue and happens only between October to April of every year,” he said.
In addition to several other related proposals, the TTAG has sought e-visa facilities to be activated to boost such international tourist arrivals, without charging visa fees as announced by the Centre.
Besides, several relief measures from the State government such as waiver of excise fees with tourism licenses, no late penalties, postponement of increase of in tourism license fees, etc have been sought.
