Goa acknowledges drop in tourist arrivals

Panaji, Feb 13 (IANS) Tourists arrival in Goa is on decline, acknowledged Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar here on Wednesday and underlined the need to work out solutions to address the issue.

"There is a drop in tourist arrivals in Goa and it needs to be looked into seriously," Ajgaonkar told reporters after chairing the meeting with the industry stakeholders in Panaji.

"The problems identified will be looked into jointly after taking into confidence all the tourism associations and stakeholders," the minister said.

Travel and tourism industry stakeholders are expected to submit a comprehensive report on issues affecting tourist arrivals, an official said.

Industry stakeholders have cried hoarse trying to draw the government's attention to dropping tourist footfall over the past few years, and blaming the Tourism Ministry for not doing enough to promote the state.

At the meeting, industry stakeholders, led by Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Savio Messias, urged Ajgaonkar to address the issues plaguing the industry like harassment of tourists, nuisance caused by organised begging at tourist locations, unreasonable taxi charges by local operators, and the high goods and services tax (GST) rate.

Ajgaonkar assured that his ministry would review the marketing strategy to promote Goa as a tourism destination more efficiently.

Goa is one of the top beach and nightlife destinations in the country and last year attracted more than seven million tourists, out of which half a million were foreigners.