Goa's natural beauty, climate and hospitable nature of Goans made us one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Our economy and the livelihood of thousands of Goans depends on tourism to a large extent. If tourists go back with bad memories of Goa and spread the word, our economy is likely to suffer. To avoid this we need commitment from all who are involved with the industry from politicians to hotel staff to taxi drivers.
Goa had further enhanced its position on the international tourism scene when it became the permanent venue for the international film festival in 2004. The capital city had a major facelift. We had found a place in the top 10 tourist spots in the world.
Unfortunately, things have changed negatively in the last few years. We have seen national media covering Goa mostly for bad news ranging from rapes, murders, bomb blasts and drugs. These have sometime even involved links to politicians from the ruling govt. This builds a negative impression about the state among visitors. It is common nowadays for Indian travellers to ask whether Goa is safe for a family.
Our beaches are littered with filth. Imagine the memories foreign tourists take home and the disrepute Goa gets. Today even Bihar attracts more tourists than Goa. Foreign tourists now refrain from visiting Goa due to the filth. A recent survey by National Geographic has rated Goa among the bottom coastal destinations due to overcrowding, pollution and overbuilding.
Throughout India and across the world, the norm is to have metered taxis. This brings accountability and discipline among taxi drivers and ensures that tourists are not over-charged. Its only in Goa that we see exorbitant rates even for short distances.
Excessive tourism adds to the congestion in cities. Public transport solutions such as the Skybus would have been a boon to Goa had the government followed it up seriously. We are inviting tourists with our expensive campaigns but not ensuring that we have sufficient infrastructure to handle them. The airport is more crowded than a bus stand. The grounded ship River Princess has been awaiting removal for over a decade on Goa's most famous beach causing ecological concerns. It represents the government's apathy towards the tourism industry and administration as a whole.
Lamanis are known to target tourists on beaches. It is only a matter of time before hijdas will be found pestering anyone going for a walk along the seashore. We are gradually losing control over our state. We already see several restaurants owned by foreign nationals and run by migrants. Media has revealed several times that Goa is turning into a haven for drugs. We see our hills getting cut and greenery being lost. Constructions are on the rise and apartments are being sold at extremely hefty prices to rich people from all over the world. Gradually Goa will have nothing to show other than buildings. What will then be the purpose of tourism and what will tourists come to see?
All this leads to one conclusion. The identity of India's once No. 1 state of being peace-loving, hospitable and safe destination is being lost and is making way for a degraded perception of Goa as place where one needs to venture with caution. Goa is a not a mere tourist destination. Anything done to facilitate tourism also has a positive impact on the lifestyle of residing citizens. Goa's beauty is the hen that lays golden eggs. If we cut it, there will be nothing left for neither tourists nor Goans.
Goa had further enhanced its position on the international tourism scene when it became the permanent venue for the international film festival in 2004. The capital city had a major facelift. We had found a place in the top 10 tourist spots in the world.
Unfortunately, things have changed negatively in the last few years. We have seen national media covering Goa mostly for bad news ranging from rapes, murders, bomb blasts and drugs. These have sometime even involved links to politicians from the ruling govt. This builds a negative impression about the state among visitors. It is common nowadays for Indian travellers to ask whether Goa is safe for a family.
Our beaches are littered with filth. Imagine the memories foreign tourists take home and the disrepute Goa gets. Today even Bihar attracts more tourists than Goa. Foreign tourists now refrain from visiting Goa due to the filth. A recent survey by National Geographic has rated Goa among the bottom coastal destinations due to overcrowding, pollution and overbuilding.
Throughout India and across the world, the norm is to have metered taxis. This brings accountability and discipline among taxi drivers and ensures that tourists are not over-charged. Its only in Goa that we see exorbitant rates even for short distances.
Excessive tourism adds to the congestion in cities. Public transport solutions such as the Skybus would have been a boon to Goa had the government followed it up seriously. We are inviting tourists with our expensive campaigns but not ensuring that we have sufficient infrastructure to handle them. The airport is more crowded than a bus stand. The grounded ship River Princess has been awaiting removal for over a decade on Goa's most famous beach causing ecological concerns. It represents the government's apathy towards the tourism industry and administration as a whole.
Lamanis are known to target tourists on beaches. It is only a matter of time before hijdas will be found pestering anyone going for a walk along the seashore. We are gradually losing control over our state. We already see several restaurants owned by foreign nationals and run by migrants. Media has revealed several times that Goa is turning into a haven for drugs. We see our hills getting cut and greenery being lost. Constructions are on the rise and apartments are being sold at extremely hefty prices to rich people from all over the world. Gradually Goa will have nothing to show other than buildings. What will then be the purpose of tourism and what will tourists come to see?
All this leads to one conclusion. The identity of India's once No. 1 state of being peace-loving, hospitable and safe destination is being lost and is making way for a degraded perception of Goa as place where one needs to venture with caution. Goa is a not a mere tourist destination. Anything done to facilitate tourism also has a positive impact on the lifestyle of residing citizens. Goa's beauty is the hen that lays golden eggs. If we cut it, there will be nothing left for neither tourists nor Goans.
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unfortunately government of the state does feel need to change this.