Amid reports of fall in tourist footfall in Goa, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA has claimed that it is due to the sale of idli-sambar in beach shacks.
BJP MLA Michael Lobo on Thursday said that international tourism has been declining in Goa for the past two years because people from other states are serving idli-sambar and vada pav in the shacks.
"The government alone cannot be blamed if fewer foreigners visit the coastal state as all stakeholders are equally responsible," he said during a press conference at Calangute in North Goa.
Lobo rued that Goans have rented their beach shacks to businessmen from other places.
"Some people from Bengaluru are serving vada pav in the shacks, some are selling idli-sambar. (That's why) International tourism has been declining in the state for the past two years," the BJP MLA said.
The legislator, however, did not elaborate on how the popular South Indian breakfast dish is affecting tourism in his state.
"There is a hue and cry because of the drop in tourist numbers. In the coastal belt, be it North or South, there has been a sharp fall in the arrival of foreign visitors. A lot of factors are responsible for this," Lobo added.
Everyone, as stakeholders, should bear the responsibility for it, he said.
Lobo said some foreigners visit Goa every year, but younger tourists from abroad are going away from the state. "The tourism department and other stakeholders should hold a joint meeting and study the reasons why foreign tourists are not ready to come to Goa," he said.
The BJP MLA believes another reason which has affected the footfall is Russia-Ukraine war. "The tourists from former USSR countries have stopped visiting Goa," he said.
Lobo said Goa should sort out the crucial issues concerning tourism, including differences between the cab aggregators and local tourist taxi operators.
"If we don't put a system in place, we will see dark days in the tourism sector," he cautioned.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
