Panaji, Jan 4 (IANS) Travel and tourism industry stakeholders in Goa want the state government to regulate inter-state bus fares, which invariably skyrocket during the peak tourism season.

Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Gaurish Dhond told IANS that travel industry officials would take up the issue with the state tourism department.

"We are proposing to the state government to at least control the inter-state bus fares to and from Goa. You just can't hike rate astronomically without any rationale," he said.

"People are discouraged from coming to Goa with these rates. It will take a toll on the tourism here," said Dhond.

Skyrocketing air fares affect the high-spending tourist coming into Goa, while bus fares are also increased manifold during the tourist season with overnight bus journeys to and from Goa to Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore, costing as much as Rs 3,000 to Rs.4,000 per head, in place of the regular Rs.500 per ticket.

Several hundred buses ply these overnight popular routes to these three towns every evening.

"There has to be some control on these tickets. The government should intervene and ensure that inter-state bus operators from Mumbai, Goa, Pune and Bangalore have reasonable fares to and from Goa during the tourist season," Dhond said.

"Such hiking of fares gives a bad impression to the tourist about the state, who is then discouraged from coming here," Dhond said.

The TTAG has been the voice of the tourism and travel industry stakeholders in Goa for the last 30 years.

More than 2.4 million tourists visit Goa's sunny shores annually, out of which half a million are foreigners. Goa tourism season ranges from October to March, while the week from Christmas to New Year is considered the peak tourism season.