Goa Wants To Bring Back Tourism But Only Welcomes Wealthy Tourists

For years, Goa has been on everyone’s go-to list in India. And as the country is easing off its lockdown order, the state that was previously declared as a green zone, might have had to come up with a different approach to tourism.

Manohar Ajgaonkar, Tourism Minister said that, Goa would need to re-invent the state’s tourism profile and return to the pristine 1960s.

Speaking to reporters, Ajgaonkar also stated that the state would prioritize wealthy tourists while staying away from local-spending tourists or budget travellers in the near future.

To kickstart the state’s tourism again, Goa would need to recreate the 1960s period. 2020 Goa was really different from 1960s Goa with over 8 million visiting tourists.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the tourism industry globally. And when it comes to Goa, it is no different.

According to Ajgaonkar, the state has to start from zero as of now, it is in a minus-zero stage.

Only when a cure or a vaccine to counter COVID-19 is developed will the tourism industry revive. Over 1,000 elephants in Thailand are facing severe starvation as the country’s tourism industry takes a big hit due to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to conservationists. Thailand now has around 4,000 elephants living in captivity and no tourists mean caretakers have no way to afford to feed the poor animals, which can eat up to 200 kg of food per day.

Well, if wealthy tourists is Goa’s priority right now, it seems like not everyone can afford a trip to the state.

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