BJP MLA says Idli-Sambar Ruining Goa Tourism

BJP MLA Michael Lobo blamed the sale of idli-sambar and vada pav in the shacks on Goan beaches for the declining tourism.Addressing mediapersons, Lobo said that not just the government, but all the stakeholders are equally responsible for few foreigners visiting the coastal state.

He rued that Goans were renting beach shacks to “outsiders” and urged the tourism department to cancel their licences. Lobo said that the shacks should promote Goan cuisine and shun selling idli-sambar. Both in the north and south, there has been a sharp decline in the tourism and there are several factors responsible for that.

Foreign tourist footfall is continuing but new tourists, youngsters in special, are preferring other destinations, he said. If corrective measures are not take, we will see only dark days in the tourism sector, he warned.

He said that he was not against idli-sambar. The cuisine that should be served on the beach is not that but Goan food and seafood, other countries’ cuisine and continental. Recognise that tourists are coming for that special delicacies.

Shacks are meant to showcase local culture and cuisine. By highlighting the culture of Maharashtra, Hyderabad and Karnataka, we are spoiling the reputation of those who are still trying to stick to Goan culture, he said.

Lobo suggested that the stakeholders should go to Sri Lanka and see the tourism there. People are preferring Sri Lanka to Goa. He also expressed concern over the stray dog menace on beaches. The tourism department says it is the job of the animal husbandry to remove stray dogs and they lay the responsibility on the village panchayat.

The BJP MLA also pointed out to clashes between local taxis and aggregators. “It should be remembered that all these issues should be sorted out and tourists should go home with good memories.” South Indians, who speak of idli-sambar, should proudly should now think twice as their breakfast is driving tourists away in Goa.