Goa is taking several steps to revive tourism in the beach state. On September 20, it reopened its casinos, allowing entry to fully vaccinated people or those carrying Covid-19 negative RT-PCR test reports. The Goa government announced fresh guidelines for the reopening of the state. Apart from casinos, Goa also reopened massage parlours and spas as the virus cases reduced. Also, as per the latest update, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that soon international charter flights will hit Goa’s Dabolim international airport. This can give a huge boost to the state’s tourism.
International Charter Flights To Hit Goa Soon
According to an India.com report, CM Pramod Sawant has said, “We will get permission to start charter flights in a few days. We have sought permission.” The state is aiming to get 100% vaccinated by October 31. Sawant expects that this will boost the confidence of both domestic and international tourists travelling to Goa.
Goa Reopens Casinos: Fully Vaccinated Or Negative RT-PCR Tests Mandatory
Goa houses six offshore casinos on Mandovi river, capital Panaji and 12 others inside famous hotels. Casinos employ thousands of people and generate a sizeable revenue for the Goa government. Reopening casinos with Covid guidelines will bring back life into the state’s tourism industry. Tourism in Goa has witnessed only a slight upscale since July. Now that casinos in Goa have reopened, only fully vaccinated or those with a Covid-19 negative RT-PCR will be allowed entry. With the reopening of casinos, allied tourist activities like taxi services, hotels and restaurants will also pick up amid the peak tourism season.
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Goa Not Ready To Host Sunburn Music Festival
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the expert committee has planned to restart casinos and other facilities as Covid cases have declined in the state. But the Chief Minister also revealed that Goa is not yet ready to host famous events like the iconic Sunburn music festival. He stated that the expert committee made a comparison of the current Covid-19 positivity rate to that of the last two to three weeks. And they realised that it’s been under 2 per cent. So, in order to revive economic activity and tourism activities, the casinos have reopened with strict SOPs.
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Reportedly Goa’s average annual income from casino license fees amounts to around ₹320 crores. So, reopening casinos is a big tourism boost for Goa. Meanwhile, our Chief Editor, Kamiya Jani visited Goa amid the pandemic. Watch this video to see her experience.