An excellent article. Spot on with the issues and projections that are pie-in-the-sky for most of the ministers and supporters of MOPA. Goa can not sustain a huge increase of visitors! And before it happens, many will see the result and elect to go elsewhere making it even more difficult to attract foreign visitors. With the increase in costs and lack of infrastructure to support the already overloaded beaches in the North of Goa many are already seeking alternative venues. And South Goa will be even further away with MOPA as the hub, with huge bills for transportation as well as long journeys for incoming and outgoing tourists. In my view it just does not make sense. Dabolim is being expanded and it is high time that the Goan government told the Indian Navy to move their operation to a more suitable airport, giving free reign for tourism to expand to a balanced level over time. Goa is rapidly losing its shine for travellers for many reasons, not least of all, costs! The tourist board needs to do something quickly to turn things around and encourage a better quality tourism based on culture, the arts, music, nature, environment and not the sun, sea, sand and partying that they only portray at present. Nothing will change unless the mindset of the Goan people changes and they voice their opinions just like Jack Sequiera did when it was needed. Otherwise, Goa will be gobbled up and forgotten in time by the tourism set to start up in the state of Maharashtra afforded by the MOPA developement.
Anne Ketteringham
