Goa needs sustainable tourism

Every year on September 27, since 1980, we celebrate World Tourism Day. On this beautiful day, the world celebrates the role of tourism in connecting different people, boosting economies, and promoting cultural exchange. So it’s time to assess where does Goa stand in terms of providing basic amenities to the tourists, who come here from all over the world and all walks of life.

Total tourist arrivals in the State in 2023 is estimated to be over 80 lakh, indicating an increase of around 18 per cent over the previous year. Arrival of foreign tourists in Goa registered a rise of around 139 per cent as of November 2023 compared to 2022.

Goa as a brand is known for sand, sun and sea. The government in order to support the industry is advocating moving beyond beaches, churches, temples and heritage, the policy speaks about introducing eco-tourism, hinterland-tourism, adventure and sports tourism, educational and cultural tourism along with entertainment.

However, there are multiple problems that are plaguing the tourism sector in Goa, putting a big question mark on the State’s ability to provide a conducive atmosphere for tourism to flourish without any hiccups.

There are teething issues in the tourism sector, like transport, security, cost of services, weak infrastructure and a host of other aspects which need to be addressed urgently. The emergence of new tourism spots in Goa’s neighbouring States is not making things any better for Goa in terms of long-term sustenance of the tourism sector and attracting quality (foreign) tourists.

Hinterland tourism, eco-tourism sounds good to the ears, but it has to be sustainable. The biggest hurdle in this is transportation. The mobility of tourists coming to Goa largely depends on rental two-wheelers, self-driven cars or taxis. The congested narrow roads of Goa’s hinterlands are not meant to take the burgeoning load of vehicles. The narrow lanes of coastal areas of Goa, especially in North Goa, viz Baga, Anjuna, Calangute, Vagator are choked during festive seasons, especially the Christmas-New Year week.

Goa government has to introduce bus shuttle services to and from various tourist points, to offload the vehicular traffic, which is also leading to road accidents and fatalities.

If the bus services are provided, then hinterland tourism will be effective automatically.

The government also has to introduce more app-based taxi operators like Ola, Uber and Rapido, like it is operating in other States.

The taxi operators have to install digital meters and speed regulators. Whenever the issue of meters comes, the taxi operators threaten to go on a strike. This time around, the State government showed some spine by standing up against the blackmailing tactics of taxi operators. But the issue again has gone into cold storage.

The common grouse of tourists coming to Goa is they are fleeced at every corner. It starts from the taxi owners, who charge the tourists exorbitantly. Same is the case with hotels. There has to be a check on the fares and tariffs charged to customers. It is unethical to make money by cutting the goose that lays the golden eggs.

There is a common narrative that the food in the shacks is priced by keeping in mind tourists and locals can’t afford it. So, the government has to look at ways to reduce the cost to customers, like reducing the license fees and other charges that are collected for setting up the shacks.

The other important issue is the safety of tourists. There have been many cases of crime against tourists. Rape and murder of foreign women tourists always become international headline, giving indication that Goa is an unsafe place.

Drugs and liquor have become a dangerous cocktail, which are also taking a heavy toll. It is an open secret that drugs of various kinds are available freely in the beach-side parties, especially where foreigners congregate.

Goa’s image is that of a party destination, where the common purpose is to get drunk and make merry. But this party destination tag is hurting Goa more than benefiting it. Because this is leading to clashes with the locals. Traffic jams, road accidents caused under the influence of alcohol, were a rarity a few decades back.

Then, there is the issue of blaring loudspeakers at various restaurants and bars, which are causing public nuisance.

Then the latest issue now is rampant tree felling to make way for resorts and big hotels in the name boosting tourism infrastructure. There is no way Goa’s ecology should be sacrificed on the altar of tourism. Goa needs a sustainable model of tourism, where there has to be a balance between commerce, public harmony and environment conservation.

Today there is only commerce. This kind of approach only encourages greed and destruction. This approach is already spelling doom for the coastal State. The authorities must take note of these issues and make a course correction to stem the damage, till there is time. Otherwise it will be too late to revert.