Even as the state prepares to celebrate the World Tourism Day, the state tourism authorities and the tourism industry have a reason to smile as the indications have emerged that the arrival of foreign tourists could set a new record in the upcoming season.
BY ABDUL RAUF BEIG | NT
PANAJI: Even as the state prepares to celebrate the World Tourism Day, the state tourism authorities and the tourism industry have a reason to smile as the indications have emerged that the arrival of foreign tourists could set a new record in the upcoming season.
The director of Tourism, Mr Swapnil Naik who just returned to the state after participating in the Leisure Exhibition held in Moscow along with the Tourism Minister, Mr Nilkanth Halarnkar said that there was overwhelming response from the travel agents to the Goa stall at the exhibition and also at the road shows held in Russia by the Goa team.
Mr Naik further said that at least 12 charter flights from different parts of Russia would land in Goa every week from October onwards, adding that there would also be an increase in flights from Kazakhstan whose authorities have also promised to operate larger aircraft and send more tourists. The state used to receive 6-7 flights per week in the past.
The director of Tourism also said that the operations of regular scheduled flights by different airlines would also give a fillip to the arrival of tourists from various parts of the world adding that the in-charge of Qatar Airways in Moscow also helped the state authorities in providing information about availability of scheduled flights to Goa. Mr Naik also said that the scheduled flights would help free itinerary travellers likely to visit the state.
The Russian tour agents and the media, however, sought clarification about the surfacing of tar balls and were informed of the ground situation prevalent in Goa as also the fact that the issue has been taken care of, he said.
Mr Naik also said that the issue of delay in issuing visas and restriction faced by the tourists in view of newer guidelines issued by the Ministry of External Affairs was also brought forward by the Russian travel agents and media and the Indian envoy in Moscow clarified on the issue saying that the tourists would not have to face the hurdles as newer guidelines have been issued to ease the problems.
The Indian Ambassador to Russia also assured the travel agents and the media in Moscow that the visa would be issued to those coming by charters, in four working days as against ten days earlier.
