A decrease in number of foreign tourists visiting the coastal state of Goa has forced the state tourism authorities to start canvassing for the next international chartered tourist season, two months before the culmination of the ongoing season.The season that began in October last year has seen almost 20 per cent drop in the chartered flights. ‘Last year by February end, 499 chartered flights had arrived bringing in 1.31 lakh tourists, while this year till February end 448 chartered flights brought in 1.13 lakh tourists,’ Ralf de Souza, President, Travel and tourism association of Goa.Experts attribute the decrease to fear factor post-Mumbai terror attack as well as global meltdown. They concede that the two issues damaged the industry to a larger extent.
Goa’s tourism industry should consolidate their market position in existing strongholds and than try to reach out to other destinations.Goa pavilion at Moscow’s international tourism trade fair is an attempt to introduce the beach state to countries surrounding Russia. The state is participating in the ongoing Berlin trade fair while the delegation is ready to showcase the state in four-day-long Moscow fair beginning from March 18.
The Tourism minister said that the state government’s appeal to the hotel industry to slash the tariff was respected by the trader which saw the sector salvaged from crisis.Pacheco said that the state government has also initiated steps to ensure upgradation of infrastructure, which is mandatory to cater the huge inflow of tourists.The industry in Goa itself contributes for Rs 1,500 crore to the country but we have meager budgetary allocation of Rs 35 crore. This time, we expect it to be doubled.
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