Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
Firstly, we do not understand the local flavour or whether people would want that as the tourists, who pay thousands of rupees for entry, and thousand for airfare and hotels during peak season, would definitely want the foreign DJs playing, not Indians.
Secondly, why does Goa need festivals like Sunburn only during peak season, and why not during April or May when the tourist footfalls are less?
As it is, every Indian and many foreigners want to be in Goa to usher in the New Year, and the tourist footfalls are always high during those times. So is Sunburn really adding value to New year/ Christmas week in Goa?
If the Government decides to have such festivals in April or May, would it not help the tourism industry?
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
The Tourism season has just started from October 1 after monsoons, and the first charter from Kazakhstan has also arrived in the State.
Amidst all this, there is also the uncertainty of Dabolim airport continuity once the Mopa airport starts operation, either in November or December (dates yet to be finalised).
But that should not make much difference to charters as, according to sources, the charters would continue to land at Dabolim due to low landing and parking charges compared to Mopa.
Now, in a bid to enhance Tourism, the new Minister Rohan Khaunte has announced that the Sunburn festival will be held in December with local flavour.
Firstly, we do not understand the local flavour or whether people would want that as the tourists, who pay thousands of rupees for entry, and thousand for airfare and hotels during peak season, would definitely want the foreign DJs playing, not Indians.
Secondly, why does Goa need festivals like Sunburn only during peak season, and why not during April or May when the tourist footfalls are less?
As it is, every Indian and many foreigners want to be in Goa to usher in the New Year, and the tourist footfalls are always high during those times. So is Sunburn really adding value to New year/ Christmas week in Goa?
If the Government decides to have such festivals in April or May, would it not help the tourism industry?
As it is, the Tourism Department is promoting Goa 365 days a year, so why stress only on Sunburn during December end?
After Rohan Khaunte took over as the Tourism Minister, many felt he would handle the portfolio differently, but here we are the same things follow. It is only old wine in a new bottle. Except for packaging, there is nothing new about it. Is there no other way to bring tourists to Goa other than Sunburn?
Is Goa benefitting from organising such festivals, or is it only the Sunburn organisers taking truckloads of money by taking advantage of peak tourism season in Goa?
It’s a good thing that he has announced there would not be any more junkets? But Mr Khaunte tell us how you will increase the number of quality tourists? We already get lakhs of domestic tourists, who create a nuisance in Goa, but how would you and your Government bring quality tourists? It has been seven months since this Government has taken over, and there has been no different strategy.
Agreed, many youths are attracted to festivals like Sunburn, but we also have to see the vices like drugs and prostitution it brings along.
Of course, we are not blaming the Sunburn organisers, neither we say drugs are available at the venue, but the peddlers take advantage of such festivals for a fast business. So what strategy does the Tourism Minister or the Home Minister has in place to avoid such instances of a drug overdose during festivals?
Just two months ago, the Hyderabad police indicted Goa Police for not acting against the drugs trade, which has tarnished the image of Goa worldwide.
So before such festivals are organised, the Government, and more so, the tourism minister, must convince the Goans that such incidents would not happen again.
