Security measures scare tourists away

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-12-16
PANAJI- The tourism industry is irked at the erection of sand pits on the main beaches as part of security measures in view of the terror threats and feared that gun totting security personnel were “driving” the tourists away from these main places of attraction in the state and making them feel "insecure".
A number of officials from the tourism sector told The Navhind Times that they were not taken into confidence by the government while deciding on security measures and positioning the security sand pits and that they were told of the measures initiated after the "measures" were in place.
The sources in the tourism industry also said that these areas of tourist attraction have been virtually converted into a war zone like places, though under normal circumstances these measures were adopted when the enemy was visible on the other side.
"No one is sure whether the enemy would come from the other side or not but the security measures are scaring the tourists," they informed.
The government could be deployed policemen in plain clothes to gather intelligence and if necessary arm them but erection of sand pits could have been avoided, they said adding that leisure destination should not have these war zone like arrangements.
It was also informed by the sources that the tourist police personnel were hardly of any help and that they were more of a nuisance. They also alleged that the tourist police personnel were regularly collecting their installments for allowing various illegalities on the beaches rather than helping the industry or the tourists. The industry sources further said the marine police was almost “non-existent”.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, and the Chief Secretary, Mr J P Singh, accompanied by the inspector-general of police, Mr Kishen Kumar on Monday morning visited the beach areas from Baga to Candolim to review the security measures put in by the government in view of the terror threat.
Finding that there were too many beach beds, they directed the tourism director, Mr Elvis Gomes to remove the extra beds put on the beaches and accordingly Mr Gomes suspended the licences granted to various shack owners for period ranging from seven days to 15 days.
Mr Gomes said the government has taken all possible measures to provide sufficient security to the tourists coming to the state ahead of the festive season, which should give them a feeling of security. He also said the government would do everything possible to help the tourism industry.
The tourism director further said the industry on its part has substantially reduced the tariff of the rooms to attract the tourists and the reduction of airfare would also help in getting more tourists.
Replying to a question on what help the industry has sought he said the industry wanted that the government should promote Goa more aggressively in United Kingdom and Russia from where most of the tourists coming to state hail from.