Panaji, Jun 30 (PTI) A Goa minister with business interests in the hospitality sector on Tuesday said foreign tourists would begin arriving in the state by October as chartered flights had started booking slots at Dabolim Airport here.

State Ports Minister Michael Lobo also said tourists from European nations, especially Russia, have started booking trips to Goa.

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"In the current scenario (outbreak and lockdown), it will take 6-8 months for the tourism sector in the state to revive, and 12-14 months to get back to footfalls received before the outbreak and lockdown," he claimed.

Lobo, MLA from Calangute in North Goa, also said bars should be allowed to open just like restaurants.

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(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)