Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SS)

Panaji, May 11: The tourism department shall be able to assess the extent of loss to the hospitality industry only after inputs from all the stakeholders are received, said tourism minister, Manohar Ajgoankar.

Ajgoankar said on Sunday that even though the process to calculate the losses are underway, the priority currently is to fight the pandemic and keep the residents and the state safe.

A survey was initiated by the tourism department along with Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), inviting stakeholders to give comments and suggestions on the crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic. On asked if he thinks whether the tourism industry will be on its feet, the minister said that he will not hazard a guess, but the danger of the pandemic has not reduced a bit. He added that even though they will not know the total damage and losses immediately, they are talking to stakeholders in confidence.

Industry stakeholders were expecting to reopen by October-November, but this will be subject to how successful India will be in controlling the pandemic. As Goa’s neighbouring states see a high incidence of affected cases, the chance of Goa opening its borders for domestic tourists in the next two-three months also seems unfeasible. Over the last decade, Goa has emerged as a monsoon destination with exceptional increase in tourists on weekends and extended weekends. However, tourism stakeholders are not in favour of opening the border to tourists so soon,

A hotelier commented that all the neighbouring states have covid cases and the pandemic does not seem to be under control. Thinking of the tourism industry now would be suicidal, he added.

Secretary of Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), John Lobo said that it should be seen if people have the money for a holiday after the fear of the pandemic is over. Even if businesses do open by November- December, tourists may be less as many people have lost their jobs, he added.