Rise in arrival of FITs, says Swapnil
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, AUG 16
Though there has been drop in the arrival of charter tourists during last three years it should not worry stakeholders in the tourism industry. For change in the trend of tourists arrival witnessed during last two promises higher returns.
So, if there has been decline in the arrival of charter tourists — the number of arrival of Free Independent Travellers (FITs) has gone up. Two years ago, the proportion of arrival of charter tourists versus FIT tourists was 80:20 and last season it was 50:50, told Swapnil Naik, Director of Tourism during a press conference on Monday here, which was held to brief about International Tourism Mart (ITM) scheduled to be held in Goa mid–October.
He “said this trend is important to Goa,” as it means expansion in the spectrum of tourism — there has been tourists inflow from Iran, Kazakhstan and Poland.
The Tourism Department expects increase in tourists inflow once it is develops hinterland tourism which is expected to take shape in the next one-and-a-half year.
Charter tourists arrival in last 3 seasons
Year —————— No of tourists
Oct 07 — May 08 — 175951
Oct 08 — May 09 — 145428
Oct 09 — May 10 — 137790
