TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Rising cost of fuel is likely to affect water sports operations this tourist season as operators are likely to hike fees exorbitantly, even as the government, through the tourism department, is proposing to introduce uniformity in water sports tariffs.
Water sports operators claim that with diesel rising exorbitantly this year, it was impossible to conduct water sports by retaining last year’s rates.
Indications are that there could be at least 15 to 20 per cent hike in tariffs depending on the kind of water sport.
Paul Silveira, President of the Water Sports Association of Goa said a hike in tariffs for water sports this year is imminent. He however said that water sports operators will not support any move made by the tourism department for a uniform tariff this season “Unless it is done considering the hike in fuel prices,” he said.
The water sports operators were asked to submit their tariffs in June which were effected last season as the government was chalking out plans for implementing a uniform tariff. The water sports operators now claim that the uniform tariff cannot be drawn up based on last year’s tariff and has to consider the revision in diesel prices effected thereafter.
Silveira said, “We don’t know if the government will also support our demand for fuel subsidy,” adding that the association has put across some recommendations for making diesel easily available to water sports operators along the coastal belts.
Silveira however added that operators will not support the move for uniform tariffs as rates charged depend on location, demand and several other factors. Uniform tariffs, according to Silveira, cannot be applied at locations such as Colva, Calangute which have a different clientele from other beaches.
The association pointed out that there should not be complaints from people on differing tariffs pointing out that there are differing tariffs for food in different restaurants and yet all consumers relish it and pay.
He said that maintenance costs, rising wages have also to be considered. This year the Ports administration has also hiked fines and fees for water sports.
While the Captain of Ports has initiated the process for issuing licences for water sports operations, operators are yet to procure all the final licenses to begin operations.
Fears are that bad weather may cause a delay in commencement of the adventure activities until mid-October.
Captain James Braganza said, “Inspection of water sports equipment and boats are in the advanced stages and licenses will be issues accordingly.”
So far the tourism ministry has not issued any final NOC to water sports operators.
