This story is from September 24, 2021

Goa: ‘Need to exercise caution while restarting tourism’

Goa: ‘Need to exercise caution while restarting tourism’
An aerial view of Arambol beach in Goa.
PANAJI: The Goa chamber of commerce and industry (GCCI) has cautioned tourism stakeholders to take ensure adherence to existing Covid protocols, and said that negligence by hoteliers, tourism stakeholders and the state government would lead to the shutdown of the tourism industry for yet another year.
GCCI said that hotels and tour operations staff should be completely vaccinated to ensure the safety of the citizens of Goa as well as visitors.

“It is the responsibility of stakeholders to ensure that all precautions are taken to avoid any infection, as negligence on their part would lead to the shutdown of the tourism industry for at least another year,” said GCCI president Ralph de Sousa.
GCCI, along with international charter operators, had submitted representations to the state government and had even met chief minister Pramod Sawant requesting him to start international flights into Goa.
Six days earlier, Modi announced that international tourists would be allowed to visit Goa. GCCI and TTAG have been campaigning for international scheduled and charter flights to land at Goa International Airport subject to strict Covid norms.
Lapses in Covid protocols will lead to a surge in new cases, and the government will have no option but to stop the inflow of tourists, leading to the failure of the upcoming tourist season, said Sousa.

He also said that vaccine certificates or negative RT-PCR tests need to be verified at the border and during check-in.
“If this is strictly followed, the Goan tourism industry will be back on track and ensure rise in economic growth, which was lost last year,” said Sousa.
GCCI also said that the Centre has accepted the demand of industry to extend the timeline for companies to convene the annual general meeting (AGM).
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