"Less is more" a thought, completely lost on Goa Tourism and Government.
Appointing a new PR Agency is not going to change the livid un-pleasant facts on the ground and on beaches of Goa.
The Tourism Minister of Goa, Rohan Khaunte yesterday mentioned in the Legislative Assembly that, his department is going to appoint a new PR (Public Relations) agency to promote the state as preferred tourist destinations all over the world.
But, would a new PR agency would change the facts on the grounds?
Since late 1960s and early 1970s, Goa was known as a Paradise among the back-pack Hippie travelers; who came here for the unique blend of Culture and heritage, it produced to them; and of course quite serene beaches. Here, they could be their own self; and live the Hippie culture.
The freedom,natural beauty, peace and lovely locals was the allure for a long time to come; and still is.
While the Minister of Tourism, is mulling why the High Net Worth tourists prefer to go elsewhere, rather than coming to Goa; the answer to this can be found, by just looking around on some of the beaches frequented the most.
1.) For a small state like Goa, the number of Tourists coming from all over, including the local Indians; has made it no better than famous "Dadar Chowpatty" or "Juhu Chowpatty" of Bombay.During the peak of the season, it is neither peaceful, quite or serene; something which has no bounds for money to be spent on a nice vacation, would surely want.
How long, can one stay in a 5-Star resort or a Hotel, during the vacation? The moment you move out, the crowd follows everywhere; mostly lacking basic courtesy and civic sense.
2.)Safety is the biggest issue now, with the burgeoning inflow of traffic; and Goa Police which is already burdened policing 1.5 million natives during off-season of tourism;fails inadequately short of man-power and other resources. Beggars, Touts and Peddlers accost tourist everywhere, as they move out.
Bad elements of all origin and tribes, trying to make quick buck out of them, everywhere.
Most of the world famous Tourists destinations of the world, have dedicated departments within the Police Department, to look after welfare and safety of the Tourists; but not in Goa (see Post Script).
3.) Infrastructure is almost crumbling, specially the road infrastructure. While the new airport at Mopa means, that more and more tourists can arrive; the moment they step out of the airport; a stark reality faces them straight in the face, with burgeoning traffic and potholed roads, sometimes almost non-existent.
4.) A high paying Tourist, comes here for the serenity; and not to witness the rapid concretisation of locales.
The moment you step out of the resort; unless you are in a really secluded place; all one sees is the new restaurants, hotels and guest-houses; with the natural beauty of once a Paradise, almost gone.Most of the Tourists who have been here in earlier years, they are not coming back, because they have seen a sudden decline in the serenity of the place.
Goa is not the only place in the world, where there is a beach. In fact, there are hundreds of more beautiful beaches around the world, which are still untouched by extreme greed.
Spending Crores on foreign tours and road shows is not gonna make them come over to Goa; when there is no peace and quiet for their vacation.
5.)Once a place, which was renowned for cleans streets and roads, where it would be difficult to find even a piece of garbage strewn around; garbage has become the biggest bane for tourism in Goa; almost an eye-sore.With stray cattle and and dogs rummaging around everywhere for food; and local civic bodies as well the Panchayats not being able to dispose off the garbage; mostly the scene is a very unwelcome one.
6.) While a high-paying tourist does not mind paying extra for comfort and safety; she or he surely, as a well travelled person; definitely compares the "economics" of her or his travel, due to vast experience.In Goa, there are two prices for a foreigner and a local for almost all the amenities. The white skin becomes a very subdued valid reason to earn some easy extra money.Be it Taxi, Cabs, Rent a Bike or Apartments.
A person, who is well travelled, while paying, always compares the notes; the Tourist don't complain at the face; but she just stops coming back over here again.
While the societal problems, and mental attitude cannot be resolved. The easy fixes are surely Safety, Cleanliness and simply better people coming over here.
There is an old proverb, "You can't have the cake, and eat it too", when you are gunning for more and more number of tourists from all over within the country and elsewhere; the quality of Tourists is bound to suffer.
An easy correlation; why don't big Politicians and MLAs or Ministers have their homes or Bungalows in a crowded places, instead of at a quite serene place?
It's because, if they can afford it; they had rather be in a place, which is quiter, serene, with some natural beauty around them.
Ironically, this is why Goa became the preferred place in the country for a 2nd and 3rd home in the country; leading to rapid concretisation and trees and orchards being destroyed to give away to buildings.Those who could afford it are building their "other" homes here; so similarly, the tourists who can afford to spend more money; are going to places, where it is much more serene, quiet and also safe.
The Goa Tourism Masterplan prepared and approved by Goa Tourism, has failed miserably, least to say.
There is a golden adage, "Less is More"; this is a thought which has been completely lost on the minds of Goa Tourism Department, as well as Goa Government.
We have seen what happens when the "greed of the commons" take over and common-sense is lost; in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Before, the same is repeated in Goa, we should pay some heed to this adage, before it is too late.
PostScript 1 : Major Tourist Destinations which have dedicated “Tourist Police”
1.) Paris has a dedicated Tourist Police unit known as "Brigade de Police des Affaires Générales" (Tourist Police Brigade) to assist and protect tourists visiting the city's popular attractions and landmarks.
2.) Barcelona has "Guardia Urbana," which includes a dedicated tourist assistance unit to help visitors and ensure their safety.
3.) Rome's "Polizia di Stato" (State Police) has a specific unit known as "Turismo" (Tourism) that focuses on providing assistance to tourists.
4.) The Royal Thai Police in Bangkok has a dedicated Tourist Police Division that caters to the needs of tourists and expatriates.
5.) Rio de Janeiro has a dedicated Tourist Police unit known as "Delegacia Especial de Apoio ao Turismo" (Special Tourist Assistance Police).
6.) Dubai has a Tourist Police department within the Dubai Police Force to assist and protect tourists.
7.) Istanbul has a dedicated Tourist Police division to provide assistance to visitors in the city.
8.) Amsterdam has a Tourist Police unit to address the needs of tourists visiting the city.
Post Script 2: The murder of Felix Dahl a Finnish Tourist and Rape & Murder of Danielle McLaughlin an Irish Tourist at at popular Canacona beaches in Goa. There has been no conviction so far in both cases, with trials languishing for years and inconclusive and inefficient investigations.
Several other suspicious deaths of foreign tourists being closed as “Unnatural Deaths”.