Doors finally open, but is Goa ready for tourists?

The latest high court decision to allow people, including tourists, to enter Goa without an

RTPCR

report if they are fully vaccinated comes as a ray of hope for tourism stakeholders, who have been pummelled by the pandemic-induced shutdowns and restrictions since last year. But the happiness with the

HC

decision also comes with a rider – will different tourism verticals open in time to cater to holidayers in the festive season?

Menino D'souza, director of

Goa Tourism

, tells us, "The stakeholders are in favour of opening tourism, but people are being cautious after last year’s experiences across the country. Visitors who are fully vaccinated are now allowed, while the rest need an RTPCR test. There's no free flow of tourists yet and there will be checks at the borders. Secondly, there are safety protocols in place and have to be followed." He further adds that river cruises, casinos and several other verticals are awaiting a government nod to start functioning.

All tourism verticals need to be opened, says stakeholder

Even after the COVID situation eased, the government took time to open the doors of tourism this year. Nilesh Shah, president of

Travel and Tourism Association of Goa

, says, "But tourists were anyway coming on the pretence of business. Now, with the HC order allowing tourists with double vaccination or an RTPCR report, industry stakeholders can think of survival. The government also need to work on opening of all the industry verticals, like river cruises, boats, casinos, spas and so on, which are directly or indirectly related to tourism. They should also look into allowing charter flights from the source markets and open up visas, so bookings can start."

Several businesses that rely only on tourism have been severely affected in the pandemic. "Out of the 3500

hotels

registered in Goa, 1,400 have started operations and out of them around 1200 have an occupancy of only 15-20%. The occupancy at budget hotels is 15-20%. Four and five star hotels have an average occupancy of 55-70%. It increases over the weekend. Overall, only 55-60% flights are operating," says Nilesh.

Opening of party destinations will boost tourism too, says DJ

Events and parties are a big draw for tourists, and such addresses are slowly opening by following precautions. Event planner and DJ Mackenzie Pereira, who was one of the first ones to stop work when the second wave hit, says, "Double vaccination is the way forward. The decision to open tourism will bring much-needed respite. Everybody's job or business is important. Nightlife is a great medium to relax and let loose. But for a lot of people, it's the only way to earn a living and support themselves or even their families. Hence, I feel all businesses should be allowed to start systematically." He took a long break from nightlife and focussed on COVID relief work and giving back to the society, but now it's time to get back. "I am not sure of starting my own gigs yet, but I have started playing at a few events," he says.

No clarity on

shacks

reopening dates yet

Goa’s beach shacks – a tourist magnet – haven't been issues licences for this year. Cruz Cardozo, president of

Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society

, tells us, "The decision to open for tourism is welcome, but we have to follow safety protocols. Many locals aren't happy with this decision, but for how long can businesses that rely on tourism wait? We are planning to start constructing shacks after September 15. However, licences have to be reissued this year, and we are waiting for that. We have requested some waiver on license fees for shacks, beach beds and chairs on the beach."

Talking about the cloud of uncertainty hanging over shacks opening, Menino adds, "Shacks anyway operate after October. If restaurants are allowed to function with 50% capacity, the same rule will apply to shacks. Shack owners have asked for a reduction in fees, but that call has to be taken by the state government. Many shacks, especially in South Goa, rely heavily on foreign tourists. But charter flights haven't been given a green signal yet."

TOUGH TASK AHEAD

3500 hotels registered in Goa, 1,400 have started operations

1200 hotels have 15-20% occupancy.

Occupancy of budget hotels is 15-20%. For four/ five star hotels it’s 55-70%

Only 55-60% flights are operating