Chetan Bhagat’s column – If we think of something new in tourism then there are better possibilities for us. Chetan Bhagat’s column: If we think something new in tourism, there are better possibilities for us

Chetan Bhagat, English novelist

Tirupati or Vaishno Devi will always attract pilgrims and tourists because of the faith attached to these places. But a tourist destination like Goa is a different matter. In the 1990s, Goa had a monopoly. It was the only place where people in India could enjoy beaches, cheap alcohol and parties at relatively affordable rates. It is noteworthy that India has thousands of kilometers of coastline, but despite this we have not been able to create another Goa.

This was in those days when international destinations like Goa were out of the reach of Indians. Air travel was expensive, visas were difficult to obtain and there was no easy connectivity to good beaches. Goa also used to be present on the tourism map of international tourists as a hippie destination. But the world has changed now.

Air travel has become affordable with low-cost carriers. Other south-eastern destinations have evolved in terms of infrastructure, great experiences and connectivity. The Internet has arrived, making it easy to book tickets, hotels and get visas. Social media has helped people discover new places.

Other tourist destinations in the world understood the increasing competition and created tourist-friendly policies by keeping prices low. But Goa and India thought differently. It has long been believed in India that whatever is good, wonderful and fun should be tainted with guilt and new rules, regulations and taxes should be imposed on it.

In case of Goa it is Rs 7,500. There is a hefty 28% GST on rooms priced above (about $89). A cursory look at Delhi-Goa and Delhi-Phuket (Thailand) air tickets for next weekend shows that their prices are almost similar.

Same is the case with hotels, on the contrary, the higher class hotels in Phuket are even cheaper. The roads in Phuket are better, the sea is blue, the beaches are clean, cabs are cheaper, and there are more food and drink options. There are many more such destinations in Thailand alone.

Add to this Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indians’ favorite Dubai. All these places offer holiday opportunities at similar prices to Goa, but with a better and more exotic experience.

Domestic tourists are still attracted towards Goa. It is still a unique place for the residents of Pune, Mumbai or Bengaluru, where people can sit in an Innova and drive to Calangute or even take a train. This is why Goa will never be deserted.

However, high-end tourists are declining in Goa. Not all tourists are the same. If a tourist from Virar spends Rs 500 per day. spends Rs 5,000 or even Rs 20,000 per day, staying in cheap guest houses and buying beer from retail shops. Also spends. These high-end tourists have better options abroad, so there is not much reason for them to holiday in Goa. Then what to talk about showing off foreign travel on social media.

We are proving to be mismatched with the world in terms of tourism. We have to end the taxi-cartel. People have become accustomed to getting a car and driver at their doorstep within five minutes, that too at affordable rates. We have to reduce luxury room GST.

First of all, an $89 room is no longer a luxury. Secondly, you can’t get a 28% tax on hotel rooms, whereas other countries have much lower rates. Thailand even reduced hotel tax from 10% to 7% to promote tourism.

Why can’t we do this too? As tourists we have to think beyond sunset points. Even today, Indian tourists do not consider tourism as something for fun and relaxation. As a result, we do not develop our tourism destinations to cater to those experiences. And yes, we need to make foreigners feel comfortable too, especially on the beaches. Staring, going into the sea without proper swim-wear, littering and loud behavior are problems we face with our domestic tourists, especially men.

It has long been believed in India that whatever is good, wonderful and fun should be tainted with guilt and new rules, regulations and taxes should be imposed on it. Tourism is also no exception.

(These are the author’s own views)