Foreign tourists will be allowed to freely enter Goa very soon, 5 lakh free visas to be given: PM

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an online interaction with tourism stakeholders, government officials, BJP party workers and others, Saturday said that very soon foreign tourists will be allowed to come to Goa, like before, prior to the Covid pandemic, and once the entire state has taken both the vaccine doses, even the foreign tourists will feel safe to come to Goa, without having to worry about getting infected by a taxi driver or a waiter at a restaurant, Modi said.

“The central government is taking steps to welcome foreign tourists back. The government has decided to give 5-lakh foreign tourists free visas. Travel and tourism stakeholders will be given loans up to Rs 10-lakh with a 100% guarantee by the government. Tourist guides are being given the facility of taking a loan of up to Rs 1-lakh. In the future too, the Central government will be ready to help those to take up the tourism sector forward,” the Prime Minister said during his interaction.

“Tourism can resume in the coming tourist season, just like it was before the pandemic. We are planning to allow foreign tourists to come to Goa. Domestic and international tourists can take pleasure in coming here (Goa). This will be possible when we give as much importance to covid precautions as much as we have given for vaccinations. It is our duty,” the Prime Minister added.

“Today, the number of covid positive cases has come down, but we still cannot take this virus lightly. You will get as many tourists and travellers depending on how much importance you give to safety and hygiene,” the PM said, speaking during the online interaction with tourism stakeholders, government officials and others in Goa.

Responding to the prime minister, Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant said the tourism industry and the State will reopen fully when it is deemed safe to do so.

Media reports and social media posts claimed Casinos in Goa will be permitted to function with 50 percent capacity from Monday, but no official notification has been issued as yet, at the time of filing this report.

“Tourism is the main business and economic driver in Goa.” The Goa CM mentioned Sikkim and Kerala as tourist states that are nearing 100 percent vaccination.