TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The sinking rupee could not only sink international holiday plans for Goans but also a possible threat of closure of business, for Goa’s tour and travel operators if this trend continues.
This is what Bruno Gomindes, the managing director of Travco Holidays Pvt Ltd said when reacting to the rising dollar over the last two months and its impact on the outbound holiday movement.
“Out bound travel has dropped drastically and the scenario is very bad right now,” Gomindes said pointing out that he is witnessing this scenario for the first time since he has been in the business in the last 20 years.
According to this tour operator the surge in the dollar rate has resulted in drop in business by 30 per cent.
“Almost 95 per cent of my cliental are Goans who used to prefer international holidays,” he said pointing out that so far the response for winter packages for holidays across the globe has hardly any takers.
“Unless it is a must travel trip nobody seems interested in travelling to an international destination at double the cost,” Gomendes said. Trips to the UK and USA are now priced at Rs 70,000 and Rs 1.30 lakh respectively.
“This is why the out bound movement has virtually come to a grinding halt and we may even have to close down,” Gomindes said.
He said that tour operators did not feel the pinch even when mining opeartions shut down and travel plans abroad had been clipped to some extent compared to the impact of the rising international currency.
Nilesh Shah, founder of PBA Holidays in Panjim is also in agreement with Gomindes said: “Overall cost for international holidays is up by 25 per cent and people are now opting for holidays within the country.”
The North Eastern States are a preferred spot now while Goa is top on the list for domestic tourists.
Shah said that way back in 1991, a similar situation had occurred where the dollar had surged virtually sinking the rupee.
This time however the impact is more at a time when both Goans and Indians are looking to explore the world.
In fact tour operators have not even bothered to advertise for the winter holidays stating that it is pointless and waste of money.
Even an 11 day holiday to Thailand is up from Rs 35,000 to between Rs 45,000 and Rs 50,000. While a trip to Dubai would cost as much as around Rs 45,000 as against the earlier cost of Rs 38,000 for four days.
Tourism stakeholders in Goa are however looking to cash in on such a scenario hoping that international tourists will descend in Goa.
However, tourism ministry officials say it is too early to say anything and are keeping fingers crossed as the tourism season is all set to begin by mid-September.
