Goa minister's London stay cost nearly Rs100,000

Panaji: Goa Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco's stay at the plush Ritz Carlton hotel in London for a tourism mart cost the government nearly Rs100,000, (Dh7,862) the state legislative assembly was told Tuesday.
Pacheco was in London in November to participate and promote Goa as a holiday destination during a tourism mart held there. And his stay at the Ritz Carlton cost Rs94,720 to be precise.

According to documents placed before the state legislative assembly, the tourism department footed the bill for Pacheco's trip abroad along with two other officials. The total cost of the trip amounts to more than half a crore.

"The expenses incurred for the tourism mart isRs5.39 million, ie towards providing decor, PR services, the supply of brochures etc is Rs5.44 million and Rs346,000 towards travel and accommodation of delegates," Pacheco has said in his written reply.

While the minister stayed at the Ritz Carlton in London, the accompanying officials — tourism director Swapnil Naik and information assistant Jayesh Kankonkar, stayed in a more modest Premier Inn in rooms costing Rs46,160 each.

Reality check

The figures are in stark contrast to the dropping figures of tourist arrivals furnished by the tourism department to the assembly.

"The percentage drop in tourism is 13.38 per cent. The likely causes of the drop in tourism are the terrorist attack in Mumbai on the starred hotels in November 2008 and also global recession," Pacheco has said.