Panaji: The coronavorus scare will has cut short the chartered tourism season in Goa to mid-way with visas for international travelers getting cancelled from March 13 mid-night onwards.
State tourism industry has conceded that it would be a big blow to the already sagging fortunes of the sector.
Goa Airport Director Gagan Malik said that the actual situation on the chartered flights will be clear only on March 14 wee hours.
“Those who are flying before 5.30 a.m of March 14 will be allowed to enter in the country. But considering the current situation, it looks difficult that any charters will come now,” he said.
He said that the airport was expecting 60-70 more chartered flights to arrive till end of the May, when season ends.
“Now the empty charters will arrive to take back the tourists to their destination in the days to come,” he said.
Malik, however, reiterated the actual situation would be clear only on May 14.
Travel and Tourism Association of Goa President Savio Messiah said that the chartered season will come to an end with the latest ban on the visas.
“We want to approach to the government seeking to exempt Russian travelers from the ban. Russia is not affected with coronavirus,” he said.
“But it seems to be difficult that the centre will listen to the request as scare is widespread. We have to look at the issue from broader perspective,” he added.
During last tourist season, 250 charters had arrived from different countries including Russia and the UK. The collapse of Thomas Cook has already severely affected the chartered flights to Goa.
