After terror cloud, Goa gets a Gandhi vacation

Goa's tourism industry heaved a sigh of relief today following news that members of the Nehru-Gandhi family are holidaying in the state for the New Year.

Goa’s tourism industry heaved a sigh of relief today following news that members of the Nehru-Gandhi family are holidaying in the state for the New Year. While Rahul along with Priyanka Gandhi and her family are holidaying at a resort here, Sonia Gandhi and some of her relatives from Italy are expected to visit them on New Year’s Eve. Mrs Gandhi and her entourage will move on to Lakshwadeep for an extended vacation, according to sources.

The tourism industry which was slightly jittery following reports of terror attacks being planned by the Al Qaeda, now feels assured that the threat may soon pass without any incident. Assurances from top police officials of enhanced security arrangement have already had a positive effect on the industry and the presence of the Gandhis has only helped increase the feeling of security.

On Friday, senior ministers in the Pratapsinh Rane Cabinet left for a meeting with Home Ministry officials in New Delhi to review the security situation in Goa. The CM himself has been ordered to stay put in the capital to oversee the situation in the state. “All hotels are full and there is absolutely no room available anywhere in the state,” a hotelier from North Goa told this reporter. A number of flat owners who rent out their homes to tour operators from Europe and West Asia also reported full occupancy for the New Year.

Meanwhile the security situation continues to be tight here with contingents of RAF and CISF camping in the state. All the top night-spots on the Calangute-Candolim-Baga stretch are under a tight security surveillance to prevent any Bali-type terror attacks. As part of security measures, police have also cracked down on rave parties since terror groups have warned of targeting Israeli tourists.