Staff reporter
Panaji
Goa’s small and mid-sized hoteliers have urged the Tourism Department to coordinate with the Union ministry for e-visas to increase footfall of international tourists during the ongoing season.
For the state tourism industry to be competitive, hoteliers are also demanding a check on the pricing of flight tickets from Goa to international and domestic destinations.
Members of the Small and Medium Hoteliers’ Association of Goa (SMHAG) on Wednesday met with Tourism Director Suneel Anchipaka and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Managing Director Kuldeep Arolkar to discuss industry concerns that were raised during the tourism stakeholder conclave on January 13.
During the meeting, SMHAG President Santosh Sangam Divkar said that small hoteliers, who are organised, play an important role in Goan hospitality as they are local entrepreneurs, and reviews by guests using their facilities have the power to sway tourist opinion.
Divkar said that e-visas issued by the Ministry of Home and External Affairs will facilitate visa issuance for foreign travellers.
SMHAG has recommended manning the entry points at beaches to curb cooking, driving, loitering, and littering by budget tourists. Other suggestions include control of sound pollution by compulsory sound-proof amenities for clubs playing till 7am.
“A separate sound policy is needed for open-air parties,” it said.
“Negative publicity by social media influencers is giving a bad name to Goa’s tourism industry. The power of social media today is such that every adverse view gets highlighted. Free flow of alcohol in the state, drunken tourists, and night-long parties are bringing down the quality of tourism. Measures to remove these ills will improve Goa’s image,” said Divkar.
SMHAG said that for Goa’s image to undergo a reorientation, tourists must not be allowed to carry liquor bottles on the beaches and drink. They must also be disallowed to cook and eat in public places, SMHAG added.
