Goa’s foreign tourist arrivals this season could be hit after India was struck off the list of safe destinations recommended for Russian tourists. The Russian Information Centre in Goa said in a release on Saturday that the travel restrictions were not because of any threat of terror attacks but due to untoward local incidents.
It pointed out that the move followed the blacklisting of Egypt and Turkey.
An altercation between a local shack owner and Russian tourists on the Calangute beach was reported only last week.
Reports of spats between Russian tourists and local taxi operators are also common in the coastal tourist belt in the north of Goa.
However, Victor Albuquerque, Honorary Consul for Russia in Goa, was unaware of the advisory.. “I am not sure if such a list has been issued by the Russian government,” he said.
Although the number of Russian tourists visiting Goa has reduced since last year primarily due to a weakening Russian economy, Mr. Albuquerque said he was confident that this year the inflow of tourists would be more or less same, pegging the number at around one lakh or more.
Pointing out the takeover of Russia's second-largest airline Transaero by S7 airline due to the former’s ailing financial health,
Mr. Albuquerque expressed optimism about an enhanced tourist flow as flight operations are expected to commence from January next year.
