Stakeholders in tourism pitch for nightlife

by GLENN COSTA
Posted on 2009-06-04
PANAJI - Tourism is the backbone of state’s economy and the state collects almost Rs 1,500 crore revenue annually from it. Naturally the stakeholders of the tourism industry do not subscribe to the criticism against foreigners and the role and importance of the nightlife oriented tourism by certain sections of the government.
Recently, in a veiled attack on foreign tourists in the state, the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik -- already under target for crimes against women and foreigners in the recent past -- said that a lot of foreigners get drunk late at night, and travel around.
But the stakeholders in tourism sector have different views to offer. The chief of the Shacks Welfare Society, Goa, Mr Cruz Cardozo says, “If there is no nightlife in Goa then tourists will not come to the state. If there are excesses then the government should control them. Tourism is the state’s main industry and at least 400 families completely rely on shacks. Is the government going to give them employment?”
He points out that besides the shacks there is also the tourist taxi trade. “If foreigners do not come to Goa what will they (the shack owners) do?” he asks. Mr Sebastian de Souza, a shack owner from Candolim who has been in the business for at least 23 years, agrees and says the government should concentrate on infrastructure and take into consideration that minor incidents will take place and “such reactions will affect the business”.
“Foreigners are definitely important to us. They are our bread and butter. But Indian tourists too are important and they also come for the nightlife,” he says, “Otherwise they would remain in Mumbai or in Delhi where they have the best of hotels.”
Giving an example of Kerala, a close competitor to Goa, he says, “See Kerala tourism. People go there once but do not go back. In Goa we get tourists who come back year after year. There should be no restrictions and they should have a real holiday and go back satisfied.”
The TTAG chief, Mr Ralph de Souza informs that the taxes collected from tourism sustain the entire state.
“Almost 50 per cent of the total budget expenses are from the revenue collected from tourism. Direct and indirectly the government earns revenue of Rs 1,500 crore from tourism,” he argues.
Underscoring the importance of tourism to all tiers of society, he points out: “Out of the almost 30,000 rooms that that Goa boasts of, almost 10,000 are in the unorganised sector like guesthouses run by families. This does not only generate self-employment in accommodation but also promotes ancillary employment in services like taxis and so has a multiplier effect, as not only the rich and mighty benefit but also even to the level of the fishing and the agriculture community. And they do well because they are in supply side of the industry.”
He is also of the opinion that there is also alternative to this industry and feels that “the government should support it instead of creating hurdles. As it is we are reeling under the recession and we have asked for help.”
The GTDC vice-chairman, Mr Lyndon Monteiro too opines that “tourism is the backbone of out economy” but more circumspectly and politically correctly says, “But we cannot compromise and do things that will bring disrepute to our people. At the same time innocent tourists should not be harassed or blamed. Those who follow the law should not be harassed as it will send out negative signals and kill the industry.”
Reacting on the importance of foreign tourists, he says that Goa is part of a federal republic and any tourist who is allowed in by the Union government “we cannot stop from coming into the state,” but points out, “Foreign tourists are as important as local tourists to our economy. But if they are in the wrong then the laws of the land should take over.”
However, Mr Cardozo warns, “If support is not given to tourism then it will die and if we start blaming tourists then we will ruin tourism. There are better and cheaper destinations like Thailand and we will lose business to Thailand.”
He says that the government should also provide proper infrastructure as “We are struggling for so many years.”
The state sees an average of 20 lakh tourists each year of which nearly 2 lakh are foreigners mainly from the UK, Germany and Russia.