Visa-on-arrival needed to boost European tourism, urge MLAs

NT Reporter

Panaji

A strong demand for introducing a visa-on-arrival facility for European tourists, particularly those from the United Kingdom, was raised in the assembly, with MLAs Michael Lobo and Altone D’Costa urging the state government to send a delegation to the Centre to pursue the proposal.

Lawmakers said the absence of such a facility is deterring high-spending tourists from visiting the state.

Lobo said the visa-on-arrival facility for select European countries was promised once the Manohar International Airport at Mopa became operational. “Nothing has happened since then. This facility can significantly boost high-end tourism,” he said, suggesting that a state delegation be sent to New Delhi to advocate for the inclusion of countries like the UK in the visa-on-arrival scheme. “We need to conduct roadshows in potential markets and promote Goa aggressively,” he added.

He also raised the issue of medical tourism, stating, “If Kerala has direct flight connectivity from the Gulf, why can’t Goa? We need international flights connecting Goa directly to Europe and the Gulf to promote cultural, beach, and wellness tourism.”

Supporting the demand, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa said, “Visa on arrival is the need of the hour. Why is it not being implemented? Tourists with American visas get visa-on-arrival in Dubai. Why can’t we replicate such models? Russians are choosing Thailand and Sri Lanka over India due to cumbersome visa processes. We must incentivise charter companies and conduct focused campaigns in Russia.”

Attributing the decline in tourist numbers to issues with taxi services and deteriorating beach conditions, Poriem MLA Deviya Rane said that while “Goa is associated with sand, sun and beach, it is not in the same state which it was once upon a time”.

She also called for a monitoring committee to ensure regular beach cleanliness.