From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Goa

Goa, Dec 1: Russian tourists in the state scoff at news on Goa being an unsafe destination and continue to holiday along the coastal belt and its sandy shores as the season advances to its peak. This is the result of reports that Russia has struck off India from the list of safe travel destinations recommended for Russian citizens, according to a report by a Russian news agency.

Ilya Morozov, manager of Pegas, the largest charter operator to Goa said, “We have no communiqué from the Russian government nor any advisory that India-Goa is not a safe destination. In fact the season looks very good and many Russian tourists are expected to be in Goa in the weeks to come.”

Diana Makarova of Anex Tours also said, “The news reports of India-Goa not being on the list of safe destinations for Russian tourists come as a big surprise. We have not received any complaints from our clients and I personally vouch that Goa is a safe holiday destination.”

Many Russian tourists have also voiced their opinions against the dissemination of false data by the Russian Information Centre here in Goa. In fact, one of them even travelled to the state capital from Morjim to speak to officials at the Department of Tourism.

“I am shocked to read the news in the newspapers that Goa is not a safe destination for Russians. On the contrary, India and Goa provide international tourists a very hospitable stay, safety and security like no other tourist destination,” said Mezhuieva Milena, a foreign tourist who has made Goa her regular annual holiday destination

Nikola Agafya, a young Russian tourist who is in Goa for the first time also expressed regrets over dissemination of false information by the RIC here in the state. She said, “Such acts of irresponsibility need to be slammed. In fact the Russian and Indian government, including Goa should not tolerate such nonsense and must take strong action against those responsible for instilling fear in the minds of Russian and other foreign tourists.”

The strong reaction from Russian travel and tour operators in Goa and Russian tourists comes a day after the Goa Tourism, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) and the tourism industry stakeholders flayed the RIC for attempting to mislead and malign the image of Goa.
Goa has been witnessing a surge in foreign tourist arrivals especially from Russia utilizing the E tourist visa facility at the Goa airport, Dabolim.

Data reveals that on an average between 200 to 400 ETVs are issued to Russian tourists daily. Since the inception of the ETV regime 31,962 ETVs have been issued of which 17,376 have been availed by Russian tourists.

In fact the industry in Goa has been closely watching the rising graph and have been gearing up for the peak season. Most of the hoteliers have been upbeat as Russian tourists have turned to Goa after the Egypt and Turkey crisis.