the goan I network
MARGAO
President of Small and Medium Hoteliers’ Association Serafino Cota has made a fervent plea to the government to immediately intervene and save the tourism season for the hoteliers in the wake of the Thomas Cook collapse.
Saying that tourists from UK occupy an important place in Goa’s tourism, more so for the small and medium hoteliers, besides shack owners and small restaurant owners, Cota has said the government should focus on how to arrange transport facilities for these tourists, ready to visit Goa, in the ensuing tourist season.
“As per our information, many tourists are still willing to visit Goa as usual provided they get the proper transport facilities. The question before the stakeholders is how to get these tourists to Goa, whether by operating extra flights or by making alternate arrangements,” he said.
Cota said the authorities should explore the possibility of allowing airways such as Qatar Airways and Oman Airways, which has been flying between UK and Goa, to augment their capacity and bring in the tourists to Goa.
“There may be some alternatives to meet the current situation, but the authorities and the government will have to take a call and put in place the alternatives,”he added.
Pointing out that UK tourists form the largest group of foreigners visiting Goa after the Russians, Cota said that tourism in the state will be adversely affected if they do not visit the state as usual.
“Goa has suffered because of the ban on mining. All the stakeholders, including the government should join hands how to ensure that the Thomas Cook collapse does not have a negative impact on Goa’s tourism,” he said, fearing the worst if the government does not step in and explore the alternatives to transport the UK visitors to Goa.
