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Goa authorities to impose fines for tourists

The authorities of the Indian state of Goa are planning to fine tourists for swimming after sunset and drinking alcohol on beaches in order to reduce the number of criminal incidents, local media reports, Votpusk.ru reports.

On the eve of the opening of the high tourist season Goa's tourism department is working on banning swimming on the state's beaches after sunset and before sunrise, and other restrictions for tourists are also being discussed. The decision to introduce these measures was taken after department officials met with Goa's tourism minister to discuss the rising number of criminal incidents involving foreigners, including rapes.

"The tourism department is discussing introducing night patrolling of beaches to prevent untoward incidents that affect Goa's image as a tourist destination," Minister Manohar Ajaonkar said.

According to him, information stands with rules of conduct on the water will be placed on the beaches. Tourists will be fined for violating these rules. In addition, the tourism department will hire a private rescue agency that will monitor order on the beaches, including at night.

The department also plans to introduce fines for tourists who drink alcohol and use motor vehicles on beaches.

The Goa authorities imposed a ban on drinking alcoholic beverages in public places in October 2017.

Goa is the most popular region of India among Russian tourists, with almost 85% of all Russians visiting the country going there. The state is visited by an average of 3 million foreign tourists annually. Last winter, interest in the destination increased by one and a half times, according to Russian tour operators.

Source: trn-news.ru

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