Tourism in Goa has broken out of the Covid shell. All doubts and apprehensions on the way forward seem to have been quelled with the footfalls this season. The industry in Goa is on its feet.
The growth of any industry is measured through revenue and though the figures are not yet so indicative, footfalls this year appear to be on a high and has left stakeholders positive.
Through the season, the government introduced a number of measures that would lift the industry to a level that would attract more visitors and though it is still early to see the results, the increase in repeat tourist is a good sign.
Visitors come to Goa because of its people, its environment, the space it offers and, of course, its beaches. Despite shifts in posts, it is what we are that still stands out as the rallying point of attraction to most.
Visitors come to Goa because of its people, its environment, the space it offers and, of course, its beaches.
A Goan will never change wherever he may go. This is true of most people anywhere in the world. However, the problem in Goa, and this has been felt by many foreign tourists, is that the number of locals is decreasing.
That decrease has been felt through the language being spoken, the attitude reflected in the market place and the food served in some restaurants.
Konkani, the Official Language of the State, is heard less in villages that are still home to many foreigners on the coastal belt and that is because Goans have decided to seek better pastures elsewhere.
The coastal belt is seeing a massive increase in the number of tourist guides, often referred to as touts, and the behaviour of some is appalling. Money is essential but how one makes it is far more important and that distinguishes a local from someone merely posing as one.
The coastal belt is seeing a massive increase in the number of tourist guides, often referred to as touts, and the behaviour of some is appalling.
Through the season, there have been occasions tourists complained how they were cheated, robbed, beaten, extorted by touts. However, very little seems to have been done to remedy the problem.
Despite the complaints, things have not improved. The police are unable to curb such activities and if they did act, it was not enough to deter the culprits thus leading many to believe that the crime is deeply entrenched in the social fabric especially in North Goa.
If the North has moved its pole towards negativity, many think it is because the place is home to casinos and worse is yet to come. Trees have been cut, hills have disappeared and paddy fields cannot be found. The loss of nature has scalded the character of those still living around and there appears no cure in sight.
As one drives around and stops to ask for directions, nine out of ten times, the person will not understand what is being asked because to find a local on the roads is difficult.
If the North has moved its pole towards negativity, many think it is because the place is home to casinos and worse is yet to come.
Goa is turning to be a place whose societal ethos is being dictated by tourists who have decided to make Goa their second home and the new fabric will drive away the tourists for whom Goa is about fish, curry and rice.
Just one example: Urrak, a local brew, was always sipped with either a soft drink brand with lemon as its base or just lemon and soda mixed. Since a few years back, a chilli has been appended to the glass and this is the tale of vanishing Goa.
For many, Goa is about living with locals and not listening to tales of how we live.
