Pamela D'Mello wrote the article Subject: [Goanet] Sun, surf and suffering
http://scroll.in/article/824401/sun-surf-and-suffering-the-cash-crunch-is-ruining-the-holiday-mood-in-goa de Souza said. “Everything gets affected.” As a result of the deflated spending by tourists, the loss of business, government revenue collection from value-added tax and other levies, and foreign exchange is projected to be around 20%-25%, he added. By the state governmental’s assessment, Goa is staring at a minimum revenue loss of Rs 786 crores this financial year. -------------------------- GL responds: Very helpful article for me and the rest of Goanetters to understand the economics of Tourism in Goa - the state's biggest economic sector; which employs the largest number of fellow Goans. If a 25% loss translates into a 800 crore hit to the state govt's coffers (which likely takes 30% as taxes) Goa's TOURISM ECONOMY IS likely 9,000 crore. Do the math yourself and share it with rest of us! And we are only talking about the foreign tourists. So all those goanetters crying about the negative impact of tourism should just learn to 'suck it up'; as they say in this part of the world. Most of the critics obviously do not directly or indirectly work in tourism or are ungrateful about a good thing. Pamela's article itself is a bit distorted. Let me provide a short explanation! Demonetization is BONANZA for the foreign tourists with the marked drop in the value of the Rupee. With the pre-paid tourists who now is making the trip, someone along the chain of booking the foreign tourists for Goa is making a killing and becoming very rich. For that financial bonanza, folks in these niche links could do much to alleviate the hurdles the foreign tourist are facing. For a minimum they could have dinner with the minster and the high bureaucrats in charge of Tourism and explain their hurdles and provide solutions The RBI (Reserve bank of India) already has been encouraging foreign tourists to pay with their international credit card or travelers checks. Those in the foreign tourism businesses (like the Indian farmers and other traders) could get a special dispensation from the RBI to receive payment in foreign currency or convert the foreign currency to rupees at the point of purchase / service. All the vendors (of service) need (from restaurants to stores to cabbies) is a pocket calculator to determine the appropriate foreign money owned. If that is too much, provide the service to four countries whose citizens account for 80% of tourists. Any loose change can be paid in rupees or considered as gratuity (tip). All foreign currency should be exchanged on Friday at designated banks in Panaji, Mapuca, Madgao. The Goa tourism department could also make a case to permit large five star hotel chains to engage in currency exchange like is done in many part of the world. C'mon Goans come up with solutions instead of just 'crying and suffering'. The state government ministers and high bureaucrats and your own brothers, sisters, brother-in-law, aunts, cousins etc etc. Happy Christmas, Natal, Navidad, Noel, Weihnachten. Please use the season to reinforce and relive Goan authentic culture which foreign and domestic tourists love and admire Regards, GL
