VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: While the Lok Sabha election date coming two days after Easter has upset a large number of Christians in the State, the possibility of the code of conduct affecting domestic arrivals in Goa exists, but for a change, tourism stakeholders aren’t complaining or worried of the possible drop of domestic tourists. Night clubs too, under the radar of the election teams during the entire period, have extended cooperation.
“Elections will not have much effect on the industry. Domestic tourists might decide to postpone or pre-pone their holiday in Goa and avoid the April 23 (voting day in Goa). The industry is not much concerned about elections. We have to have elections and that’s why we feel it’s normal that tourists will reduce, because they too want to cast their votes in their respective states,” Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Savio Messias said.
He was backed by businessman, Gaurish Dhond who claimed that barring dry days, the rest of the poll period would be normal for the tourism sector. “Tourists do reduce whenever the States go through the election process. But the code of conduct does not cause any harm because bars and restaurants are open except during the dry days,” he said.
Former member of the tourism trade body and hotelier Ralph D’Souza does not link the probable decrease in arrivals to the election code. He cited other factors, like wrong promotions and wrong market, to the downfall of tourism industry in the State. “We have seen so many elections. It in the past and now too will not impact tourism. The drop in tourism is in fact due to tapping of wrong markets and promotion going the wrong way. As a result of this, we have been garnering the lowest strata of domestic tourists,” he said.
Party places too, with exception of a few, are unfazed with the code that will be in force till May 23 and extended their support to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Industrialist Nandan Kudchadkar said that the ECI has not shut their businesses but is definitely keeping a close watch to ensure that the code
guidelines are not violated.
“The ECI is considerate to Goa. We are a tourism State and ECI hasn’t closed down the night clubs but is watching us. We too have to be responsible,” he said, adding that dry days (imposed 48 hours before the voting and counting days) are essential. “One should not be intoxicated while voting so definitely dry days is also a must.”
Also Chairman of Kudchadkar Group of Industries, Kudchadkar said Goa barely has 18-19 night clubs operating till after midnight while the remaining close before midnight. “It is easy for the ECI to monitor,” he opined.
Head of a hospitality group, Sahil Advalpalkar conceded that the decline in tourists is due to restrictions on liquor serving premises during the code. Nevertheless, he said, they are cooperative. “There would be an impact because not many people travel during this period. We are fine with the ECI monitoring activities in such premises, they are doing their job and we as responsible citizens should cooperate with them,” he said. The entrepreneur, however, apprehends that domestic arrivals will drastically drop as Goa approaches voting day.
Ricardo De Souza, director of Tito’s Resorts & Hospitalities Pvt Ltd, does not agree with the others claiming that such restrictions often have a negative impact on tourists. “We understand the code of conduct is to ensure free and fair elections. But what I fail to understand is the impact on tourists. The code should not interfere with tourism and tourists should not be harassed,” he opined.
