Alarming drop in tourist arrivals in Goa

Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

With the number of foreign tourists declining swiftly, Goan tourism -- the state's second-largest foreign exchange earner -- is in crisis.

The local Congress government is now chalking out a new tourism policy to attract 'high class' tourists from all over the world.

The recent tourist season -- November to January -- was an eyeopener. Rooms were available during Christmas in the five star resorts, smaller hotels and guesthouses -- unheard of in the past.

State tourism director U D Kamat hesitantly admits that the number of domestic tourists is down by two per cent over the same period last year. The drop is more alarming in the case of foreign tourists -- five per cent. The number of charter flights to Goa, Kamat reveals, has also dropped.

In an attempt to justify the changing scenario, Goa's Deputy Chief Minister Dr Wilfed de Souza, who is also the state's tourism minister, claims the drop is due to the change in the tourism policy which aims at reducing the number of tourists, but improving the quality of visitors.

Even though charter tours disembark in Goa, the tourists proceed to southern states like Kerala, the current hot destination.

"We don't want such cheap tourists. Let them go to the South," declares Dr de Souza.

He says the state government is stressing on providing proper infrastructure to the 'high class' tourists with an international airport, superhighways, widening of the existing road network along the coastline and an improved water and drainage system.

The Goa government also plans to provide attractions like golf courses, amusement centres, water sports, adventure tourism and offshore casinos, even though the last mentioned activity is mired in considerable controversy.

Converting Goa's forts into resorts is also part of the state government's agenda to develop heritage tourism.

The Taj group of hotels is setting up a yoga centre -- with the involvement of American health guru Dr Deepak Chopra and former Beatle George Harrison -- an amusement park and a golf course to attract 'high class' tourists to the state. Hotel chains like the Hilton and Radisson, Dr de Souza, claims, have also shown interest in Goa.

But hardly any effort is being made by the authorities to provide proper facilities to middle class and upper middle class domestic tourists, who number about 80 per cent of tourist arrivals in the state.