Friday, May 1, 2009

Dropping tourist numbers

Accordingly to recent statistics, tourist inflow at Dabolim airport has in fact dropped by a whopping 15% over 2007-08. The total number of foreign tourists coming in via chartered flights also dropped by a similar margin.

This brings into picture an often debated issue. What impact does this have on the overall Goan economy? On the negative side, a lot of the related industries like hotels, retail and services will be hugely impacted given that a majority of the Goan population is linked in some way or the other in tourism related busines.

However, on the positive side, this is also pushing the Goan youth to innovate and come up with newer business ideas including investments in other areas. Goa has a well educated and talented workforce. We possess skills across a spectrum of areas.

Has Goa's over dependence on tourism effected the Goan's entrepreunal spirit or the other way round?