Tightening of rules ahead of voting in the Goa assembly polls during peak tourist season is sending away foreign tourists to other destinations like the Caribbean and Thailand, the state's tour operators say.

The tourism industry's fortunes have virtually gone into a tailspin with election code guidelines stipulating that no alcohol can be served to guests after 11pm. Wholesale liquor vendors have also downed their shutters claiming harassment by Election Commission officials as per a report in TOI by Andrew Pereira.

This has resulted in a shortage of alcohol in restaurants and bars who are unable to meet guest requirements citing reasons of no stock. "It's a horrible time for us," says Lourenco Fernandes, a shack owner on Calangute beach. "Even if we serve guests alcohol or beer at 10.30pm, the police on patrol won't even allow glasses to be seen on the table after 11pm. Guests like to have a drink with their meals. They're now having their meals within the four walls of their hotel rooms," he adds.

A foreign tour operator said, on condition of anonymity, that increasing number of tourists are cancelling their holiday to Goa. "We have informed clients who had booked a holiday to Goa about the election code of conduct being enforced. Since they won't be able to get a full refund, we suggested they try out other destinations. Most of our clients have opted for the Caribbean and Thailand," the tour operator says.

"We are under a contractual liability and have to inform our guests," Ralph de Sousa, spokesperson for the travel and tourism association of Goa, says.

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