Goa needs effective air access to hold its tourism hotspot tag high

Panaji, Dec 3 (UNI) Goa has to ensure effective air access in order to maintain the long term competitiveness of the tourist destination and to facilitate the development of the state as a centre for business and industry, says a latest report by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Infrastructure.

To maintain an aconomic growth of eight to nine per cent, the capacity of transport infrastructure,including airports must keep pace with demand, the ''Goa Infrastructure Report' states.

The Dabolim International airport, however, has a little capacity for expansion to meet the long term needs of the state's economy, especially tourism.

The report feels transporation being one of the key infrastructure needs in a developing economy, investments in this sector should be evaluated based on their ability to reduce congestion, increase traffic speeds,or facilitate the movement of people and freight in the most cost effective and sustainable manner with least impact on environment.

Among all the airports in India, Dabolim International, under the control of Indian navy is used for their training activities besides handling civilian flights and is rated 7th in terms of passenger traffic. Over the last five years, aircraft movement to and from Dabolim has shown a compound rate of 10.5 per cent per annum. The international passenger traffic projects an annual growth of 8.55 per cent, while the domestic passenger traffic has shown an annual compounded growth rate of 8.59 per cent.

The cargo movement through this airport, however, has shown a low growth rate of only 5.46 per cent primarily because of inefficient cargo handling facilities which fail to support perishable goods, the report added. Also, it is congested and still at a primitive state in comparison with the modern international airports.

The report prepared by the GCCI feels domestic passenger traffic is going to witness an increasing growth trend in the wake of the introduction of competitive air tariffs by the entry of a number of low cost carriers, which have made air travel affordable for India's huge and growing middle class.

It is to be noted here that in the last four years there was an average 21 per cent increase in domestic tourists significantly outstripping the growth of domestic economy.

Besides tourism, Goa's potential for industrial and business development will also contribute to domestic air traffic. The tourism sector in Goa has initiated a marketing strategy to sell attractive all inclusive packages (including flights) to Indian tourists during the off season months.

The growth of international tourism is likely to witness a lower growth rate, since this activity, which is mainly beach based tourism, is limited only to six months of the year from October to March.

Hotels in Goa's beach belt are already experiencing a 100 per cent occupancy during the peak season. Besides, there is a limited growth potential of tourist accommodation in the beach belt due to stringent environmental regulations in the coastal areas.

International tourist charters, and a new open sky policy of the centre opening gates for scheduled airlines to commence flights to nearby countries would further stimulate growth. Since Goa is well connected to the rest of the country, it could develop into a transit hub besides catering to new inbound and outbound air traffic.

In the next ten years, the increase in international air traffic has been projected at an average of 6.5 per cent per annum.

Apart from tourism, Goa also boasts of world class mangoes, pineapples, coconut and processed products besides high value sea food that can be exported by air. If the necessary infrastructure is put in place, it can realise its potential of capturing the export market for certain varieties of flowers. The pharmaceutical industry too can import and export bulk drug and formulations by air through Goa.

As a matter of fact, tourism has generated 25 per cent of the state's foreign exchange earnings, the report informed.

In 1997, Goa had a total of 436 hotels with a total availability of 18391 beds. It has been estimated that hotel accommodation would need to be atleast doubled in the very immediate future to cater to the projected tourist arrivals into the state.

The report also suggested strengthening road and rail network to connect the state with the interiors of neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra.

UNI MR AKJ VA RAI1219