by Lenny Barretto
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
Panaji, Apr 3: The heat is on ! Goa is busy welcoming hordes of tourists who flock the state in April and May. These are summer vacations when schools are on long holidays. So many people prefer to pack their bags and rush to Goa.
The sandy seashores are seen flooded with domestic tourists. The tourism department figures state that every year 20 lac domestic tourists arrive in the state and the figure is on the rise. The tourism department officials expect that the figure could be much higher in the years to come.
Courtesy: Indya Travel
Thanks to the series of movies like 'Honeymoon Travels', Goa has been a destination most sought after by domestic holidayers. Soaking in the sun on the Goan beaches and taking a plunge in the salty waters is the best idea to beat the heat. And still, if you are feeling hot, gulping coconut water can cool it further.
What is interesting is that though Goa attracts hardly three lac foreign tourists and 20 lac domestic tourists, the state is more famous as foreign tourist destination. Maybe the foreign currency which they bring in or for their white skin, they are better looked after compared to the domestic crowd.
There is a genuine grievance commonly heard from the domestic tourists. They feel that the state government is not doing much to maintain the beaches. The shabby beaches with garbage littered everywhere is certainly a sad scene. No dust-bins are provided and as a result the people are forced to throw the garbage on the sand. Also, the dog menace is something that the government should pay immediate attention to.
While Goa boasts of being a tourist state, it is difficult to digest why not much attention is given towards keeping our beaches clean. Except for hoardings asking people not to spit, urinate or throw garbage, no strong action is coming forth. Hope the government does something in this regard. Or else you will find people running away from this holiday destination.
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