Panaji: A delay in commissioning of visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility at Dabolim airport is a worrying factor for tour operators as the season comes to a close. The Goa airport was offered VoA facility last year along with four other airports in the country. It was declared that the facility would be made operational once the new terminus was commissioned.
Though a new terminus has been opened, it is only for domestic traffic. Tour operators fear that a further delay of two or three months in getting the facility started at Dabolim airport may not yield much benefit for the next season despite of a hassle-free entry into India as bookings for the European market start early.
Things would have been better if the government had to announce a date of commissioning the VoA facility.
"Though we know VoA facility is extended to Dabolim airport, we can't print it on our brochures unless we know for certain when it would be commissioned. Such an announcement should have happened some months before the start of the next season," said Ernest Dias, chief operating officer, Sita.
07/04/14 Times of India
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Though a new terminus has been opened, it is only for domestic traffic. Tour operators fear that a further delay of two or three months in getting the facility started at Dabolim airport may not yield much benefit for the next season despite of a hassle-free entry into India as bookings for the European market start early.
Things would have been better if the government had to announce a date of commissioning the VoA facility.
"Though we know VoA facility is extended to Dabolim airport, we can't print it on our brochures unless we know for certain when it would be commissioned. Such an announcement should have happened some months before the start of the next season," said Ernest Dias, chief operating officer, Sita.
07/04/14 Times of India
