From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Goa
Goa, Dec 1: The state's leading travel body, Tour and Travel Association of Goa (TTAG), has said the inbound tourism from Russia is looking good this year. The TTAG’s reaction is at the backdrop of recent media reports that Russia has struck off Goa from its safe travel destinations.
A senior TTAG official and chief operating officer at SITA travels, Ernest Dias said none of his Russian operators has heard of this so called 'advisory' which unfortunately has originated from Goa, rather than from Moscow.
“The so-called 'Russian information centre' quoted by a section of the press is in fact a 'Russian disinformation centre',” he said. Dias stated the tragedy in Egypt and Turkey issued has helped to increase the bookings from Russia.
The Russian tour operators in fact are looking for more rooms as additional flights have been introduced. Such negative misinformation can affect and reduce the future sales, he added. “I am of the firm opinion that the Government of Goa should sue these news agencies and press for defamation for disseminating false information affecting the economic interest of Goa. It appears that they are representing the interest of some other countries which are perversely hoping to benefit from the Turkish and Egyptian issues,” Dias added.
The TTAG therefore strongly objects to the false news being spread by certain vested interests claiming to be news agencies and attempting to tarnish the fair image of Goa.
“We would like to reiterate that Goa is the safest destination in the world and there is no reason for Russian tourists to be concerned about their safety in Goa,” he said.
Nikhil Dessai, MD GTDC, reacting to the press reports stated, “The hospitality industry and inbound tourism arrival trends clearly indicate a very positive tourism season ahead. Foreign inbound trends are very encouraging especially from key source markets like UK, Russia and CIS nations. In fact Goa will see positive tourist inflows due to the present geopolitical scenario in Egypt and Turkey, being one of the safest and easily aaccessible destinations coupled with ease of obtaining visas. Sweeping and unverified statements appearing in media will only do more harm than good and unnecessarily complicate matters.”