PANJIM: The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), in a press note released here, has appealed to the people not to panic over the landing of hot-air balloons in open spaces as its service provider is conducting longer rides resulting in landing of the balloons at new sites.
Following the second incident of the hot-air balloon landing at a new site in Raia, on Saturday, the GTDC has taken stock of the situation, mentions the release, adding the corporation “once again reassures that the hot-air balloon rides are being conducted and landings taking place as per the required procedures without endangering passengers or property.”
The GTDC has again denied news reports that the hot air-balloon crash-landed in a field at Raia.
The corporation has clarified that there was no crash-landing of its hot-air balloon.
“Hot-air balloon rides were started in 2015 and is in the second year of operations. Both foreign and domestic tourists have availed of this adventure activity in large numbers. While the GTDC had initially introduced tethered balloon rides, its free floating balloon rides received an overwhelming response and full-fledged operation of its free floating hot-air balloon rides began from Assolda,” mentions the release.
The statement issued by the GTDC has reiterated that the agency operating the hot- air balloon service, Camping Retreats India maintains the highest safety standards and has never compromised on safety of hot-air balloon flights.
Gavin Dias, general manager, GTDC has stated, that“in both cases where the hot-air balloon landed at new open spaces in South Goa has followed all routine landing procedures and no negative feedback has been received from the passengers on board. During the last two years of this service in Goa, no untoward incident has ever occurred and every flight and landing has been safe and successful and the rides have been a delightful experience for all tourists who have availed of this adventure activity. The hot-air balloon flight which took off from Assolda on Saturday also landed safety in the open field at Raia.”
Dias has pointed out that the hot-air balloon service has trained pilots and more than a 100 rides have already created a buzz for Goa on the adventure tourism map resulting in an increasing demand.
Gajender Singh Rathore, managing director of Camping Retreats India Pvt Ltd has stated that “the company has been conducting hot-air balloon rides in the country since 2008 in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, and since 2015 in Goa. We have a very good track record for safe operations and there is no compromise on the safety and lives of passengers.”
“There is nothing unusual about the hot-air balloon landings that have taken place here in Goa during the last one week. Onlookers have unnecessarily panicked. The hot-air balloon has landed as per normal procedures, deflated and packed thereafter again as the required procedures. We have excellent equipment and pilots who are trained in take-off and landings.”