Vagator tourists vs locals fracas indicative of an increasing problem of disrespect 2012-05-02
The reason why an increasing number of Niz Goenkars are highly allergic to tourists in Goa, is because of situations like the Vagator fracas yesterday. Tourists with more money than brains and delirious with the idea of partying in Goa with unlimited booze and availability of drugs on the beach belt and feel everyone should allow them to party without making too much of a fuss. After all, they say, they are contributing to the revenue of this State. Disrespect of the locals and of the environment is not something that bothers most Indian tourists. Russian tourists are brash too, and insulting and arrogant, when their idea of fun is curtailed, but they tend to simmer down once the police mediate. In Vagator around 40 Indian tourists had checked into a hotel on Monday. Oh, they were *so *happy that they were in Goa where the liquor flows as plentifully as the sea, that they began celebrating Labour Day on Monday itself. Turned out it was the birthday of one of the revellers. Fireworks were lit, one was lit under a tourist taxi belonging to a Goan and the car was damaged. The taxi owner had parked his car outside the hotel as was the usual policy. The next morning the confrontation happened. This was hangover time and the revellers were fixing their hangovers with more liquor. The inevitable fight broke out with handy bottles flying around, the inevitable crowd gathered and a flying bottle landed, inevitably again, on one of the onlookers. The original scenario of the taxi driver fighting with the revellers developed into a locals versus tourists free-for-all. Hotel CCTVs will be used to see who began the fight, but this is symbolic of a larger malaise. Well heeled Indian tourists, especially those from the larger cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai, seem to leave their manners at home, and behave in Goa, as they would in the privacy of their toilets back home. The fact is they are on their best behaviour abroad because they have a healthy respect for payment of fines and a stay in prison. Once our rules are tightened with strict enforcement, we can get a better type of tourist coming in. We too have to clean up our act and give value in terms of goods and services. No fleecing tourists. Goans are no longer the placid, laid back kings of hospitality, tolerant of tourists' wild behaviour. Tourists visiting Goa would do well to remember that this is a fragile place because of its beauty and leniency. They are free to enjoy themselves as they like, but they must respect the culture and people of Goa. http://www.targetgoa.com/newsd-Vagator-tourists-vs-locals-fracas-indicative-of-an-increasing-problem-of-disrespect-3726 -- DEV BOREM KORUM Gabe Menezes.