The tourism industry in Goa is pinning a lot of hope on the new season as the State would be seeing a sea-change in connectivity, accessibility and tourist facilities front in coming months.The tourism industry in Goa is pinning a lot of hope on the new season as the State would be seeing a sea-change in connectivity, accessibility and tourist facilities front in coming months. The much-anticipated Mopa International airport trial landings have already started before the scheduled opening of the facility in the New Year. Similarly, the Zuari river link project which connects the Bambolim in the North to Verna Junction in the South is also awaited in the next few months. Adding another feather to the State’s tourism infrastructure is the Goa International Convention Centre in Panjim, which is also getting ready within a year’s time.
“We are quite optimistic about the season ahead,” said Nilesh Shah, president of Travel & Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG).
He said that the Goa airport has recently received requests for landing permissions for charters from eight destinations, which is a good sign. If the war situation between Russia and Ukraine improves, the demand can still go up, the industry believes.
The e-visa restrictions on the UK is another major worry for the Goan industry. The tourism industry and the chief minister of the State himself has pursued the case with the Centre in the last few months.
The charter business can get a big impetus if the e-visa restrictions are eased, the industry believes. The industry believes that the number of Charters from the UK can double, from the proposed 4 flights a week to at least 8, if the visa restrictions are removed, and e-visa is extended. “The arrival of more charters will support the cause of small and medium hotels in the State,” Shah said.
“The opening of the new international airport at Mopa will also enhance international scheduled operations into Goa. Equally importantly, with huge parking space for domestic flights, many domestic companies will make Goa their hub,” Shah informed.
The large capacity international convention centre in Panjim and the new road link across Zuari connecting Bambolim in North to Verna junction in the South are also expected to change the face of tourism in the state by trade and industry.
The Convention Centre is expected to be ready in the next six to eight months.
With these new infrastructure developments, the industry believes there will be new impetus to investments in hotels and accommodation infrastructure in the State in the near future.
While the trade and industry is quite optimistic and in a positive mood, there is a section which believes that the government has to take more proactive steps to contain the drug trafficking and related menace, the overall cleanliness and hygiene along important beaches in the state. The drug menace can create a negative image for Goa, which in the long run would repel family groups from Goa, the industry feels.
The trade and industry also flags the issue of digital taxis, which the government had promised to implement within three months of taking over. They said that digital taxis can address multiple issues at the same time, including the increasing number of road accidents in the State.
