'Ill-behaved desis behind dip in foreign tourists in Goa'

CALANGUTE: Joseph Sequeira, sarpanch of Calangute in Goa, said on Thursday that ill-behaved domestic tourists are responsible for the decline of foreign tourists visiting the beach town.

"Foreigners no longer come to Calangute beach and it's because Indian tourists want to take selfies with foreigners and click photos of them," Sequeira told reporters.

He said he submitted a proposal to state govt to bring in quality (Indian) tourists but, that, it has not been acted upon. At check posts, Sequeira said, it can easily be ascertained if tourists coming in jeeps and cars have reservations at hotels or guesthouses. These tourists, Sequeira said, park their vehicles anywhere they can find space and sleep on the beach."Thus, they bring no value to the business here," he said.

Asked about the assault on tourists on the beach earlier this month by shack staff, Sequeira said the panchayat has no control over shack operations.