PANJIM: The Travel & Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has urged Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar to resolve the controversy over exorbitant taxi fares and the uniforms for cabbies at Dabolim airport. TTAG suggested that the government introduce a ‘local app-based taxi service’ on lines with Ola and Uber cab service.
“We understand that there is opposition to the entry of app-based cab service in Goa. If that is so, then the local tourist taxi operators should adopt to a similar way of operating their business wherein tourists are not subjected to any inconvenience or go back with bad memories,” said one of those present at the meeting with the minister and other tourism officials at Paryatan Bhavan on Tuesday.
The Tourism minister said that an app company should strike a deal with the local cabbies and convince them that their employment would not be at stake. “The app company can have a dialogue with the local taxi operators and make them understand to operate on lines with Ola and Uber. Given that competition is accepted worldwide, we can improve our services. It is for the betterment of tourism as this will also convince tourists that they are not being looted,” an official told Herald.
The department was also urged to implement digital meters and increase the bus service from Dabolim airport to Calangute and vice versa. The bus service, sources said, has evoked good response from tourists as the ‘tariff per passenger is affordable and the trip is hassle-free.’ “The minister has assured of solutions to the problems concerning tourism,” he said.
The TTAG delegation led by immediate past president Francisco Braganca also had vice presidents Ernest Dias and Ramnath Babu Quenim, secretary Guitry Velho and executive member Nilesh Shah.
Expediting the process to appoint a competent and professional beach cleaning contractors, need for expeditious completion of Master Plan and Tourism Policy to facilitate effective implementation of various tourism plans, projects and policies were also urged during the meeting.
Azgaonkar sought the cooperation of TTAG in making Goa a premium tourism destination. “TTAG assured full support and cooperation to the government while implementing its plans and proposals for improving the tourism and hospitality industry in Goa. Being a leading tourism destination, TTAG appealed to him to find amicable solution and settlement to the mentioned issues in the interest of Goa Tourism and its stakeholders,” the official said.
