Cold welcome

THE death of three students of the Amity Centre of International Business in north Goa on Monday has questioned Goa Tourism8217;s attitude ...

THE death of three students of the Amity Centre of International Business in north Goa on Monday has questioned Goa Tourism8217;s attitude towards the domestic tourist.

Foreigners generally come to Goa in winter whereas home tourists come the whole year round. Since this is lean period for foreign visitors, it8217;s alleged that security on the beaches is neglected. There were no lifeguards at the Candolim beach where the Noida-based Amity students died.

Over the years, Goa has seen a large increase in domestic tourists. The numbers this year alone have shot up by 33 per cent. The figure is supposed to cross 3 million. Chartered flights too are expected to show a rise from 370 to 600 this year.

But there are growing shadows in sunshine land. Drowning has become an alarming feature on the 63 km Goa coastline. According to official statistics, 46 tourists drowned last year. This year8217;s toll has already touched 20. And the tourist season is yet to begin.

Illegal canoeing has been culprit in many cases. Dolphin spotting is popular with visitors and since the government has failed to provide necessary infrastructure, canoes without licences have stepped in. About 14 people died recently when a canoe carrying them drowned in Mandovi. A similar tragedy was reported earlier in south Goa last year.

But Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes says it8217;s security not canoes that needs attention. 8216;8216;The government needs to step up security on beaches. After all, canoes were not responsible for the tragedy that struck students of the Amity School.8217;8217;

SHADOWS ON THE COAST
Increase in domestic tourist arrival in 2003: 33 per cent
Tourist deaths
2002: 46
2003: 20
till August 31

The government and tourism officials have reacted to increasing pressure by doing what they do best: passing on the buck. They are trying to shift the responsibility to hoteliers. And the hoteliers respond vehemently. Says Kiran Kerkar, managing director of the Highland Beach Resort where the Amity students were staying: 8216;8216;This is a ridiculous measure. How can we assure the security of clients staying on the beach? How does the government expect us to run after all tourists? At the most, we are prepared to install warning boards in our premises. It is the government8217;s duty to ensure safety of tourists.8217;8217;

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But having a warning board perhaps may not be enough. There was one such one on the beach where the students drowned. They had also signed a bond saying they would not go to the beaches on their own. Highland Hotel had even closed all its five bars during their stay.

Tourism Director N. Suryanarayan dismisses charges of evading responsibility. 8216;8216;Domestic tourists go crazy seeing the sea and jump in at the first opportunity. Foreign tourists are more sober and cautious. You can8217;t expect the government to provide security to all domestic tourists. The hoteliers have to work on this.8217;8217;

Seizing the opportunity, Congress spokesperson Jeetendra Deshprabhu says: 8216;8216;The Congress had demanded two lifeguards for every 200 metres along the entire coastline. The chief minister rejected the idea. Our demand was in tune with a similar one made by the National Institute of Water Sports NIWS.8217;8217;

Deshprahbu alleged that despite being high spending, domestic tourists are neglected and foreign tourists8212;mostly backpackers8212;pampered. Clearly, there is no home advantage here.