Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The elephant has passed off, but the tail still remains, owing to the demands of the tourism stakeholders; Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that the government is formulating SOPs and is optimistic about resuming international tourism.
The statement comes a day after CM said that there has been no decision on resuming schools at the primary and secondary levels.
The delegation of TTAG & GCCI met CM and urged him to start the charter flight movement in the state in October.
“Goa government is positive about starting international tourism in Goa by formulating requisite SOPs, but union government will have to give permissions for charter flights,” said CM Pramod Sawant
Sawant said that it is under the purview of the Government of India, and until and unless the Center gives them the permission Goa government cannot start charter flights.
“We had earlier conveyed our request to MHA and Union Tourism Ministry. This time also, we are writing to them,” Govt is positively thinking about starting the tourism industry by considering all SOPs,” he added.
He said that situation of covid will be monitored for the next two months, and accordingly, the decision will be taken. As of now, we are willing to start. In case the third wave of Covid pandemic occurs, we can cancel permissions,” he added.
Businesses hit badly…
After the low footfall of tourists, many businesses in the tourism sector has seen losses over the past year.
“We have had no business in the last one year. I have many vehicles, and booking is very low. We are surviving on loans from friends. Government should give us some subsidy,” said an owner of travel agency.
“Business is low, people are struggling. The business will restart once tourists come. People are scared and hesitant to come,” said another businessman.
TTAG wants tax waiver
Goa’s tourism industry stakeholders have urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to grant a 100 per cent excise waiver in state excise while also demanding additional SOPs like a waiver for tourism licence fees for two financial years, a reduction in GST tariff for tourism-linked industries and seeking relief in power tariff.
In a letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, TTAGhas recently sought a 100 per cent refund for all visas for the next two years to make Goa an attractive tourism destination once the state opens up for tourism.
“The second wave of the pandemic has hit Goa in a bad way, which has resulted in a shutdown of tourism operations in Goa for the past more than three months.
In addition to the previous period of shut down in the last year, this has not allowed the industry to operate for over one year,” Shah said in his letter to Sawant.
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