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Published on : Thursday, September 3, 2020
The unhampered movement of people across Goa border and reopening of bars has brought in much needed relief for tourism stakeholders who have been keenly waiting for revival of tourism in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.
He stressed the need for health safety and adherence to guidelines by all travelers, including locals. “If we have decided that we have to do business with COVID-19 for a few months or a year, it is a good move in the right direction while all precautions need to be taken,” Shah added.
The development before the annual tourist season, scheduled to start from October, is actually a major relief for the stakeholders who have been struggling to sustain their business in the midst of the pandemic-induced lockdown and restrictions.
“It is a welcome move as Goa has been following MHA guidelines throughout and I think it is high time the economy opens up. Tourism had not started in Goa due to the restrictions unlike another tourism destination Rajasthan that started unrestricted inter-State movement a month ago. Lots of business which would have come to Goa has gone to other States that lifted the restrictions,” said the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) President Nilesh Shah.
TTAG’s immediate past president Savio Messias said, “It is a welcome decision. It was long awaited,” citing Rajasthan’s early resumption of the tourism industry.
Messias added that Goa needs to develop its testing for the virus. “But we have to improve on our testing system. It has been a failure. Results have to be out soon and the charges were too high, while efficiency was very low,” he opined.
TTAG members also praised the government’s decision regarding reopening of bars. “We wanted bars to be opened long time ago. It was delayed but finally opens. It is a welcome sign,” Shah said.
Tags: goa