PANJIM: Unlike other long weekends, the current holiday period might not bring cheer in the tourism industry. However, stakeholders claim a ‘satisfactory’ 50-60 per cent of current occupancy and predicting slight growth in the coming days of the month which is when Goa is hosting Carnival.
Goa goes to Assembly elections on February 14, Monday and is declared as public holiday.
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“It is a long weekend for poll-bound States like Goa. Other States don’t have a holiday which is why they will not enjoy the long weekend. Nevertheless, the arrivals rate is normal. We have 50-60 per cent occupancy at the moment,” President of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Nilesh Shah said while speaking to Herald.
Goa is considered as a long weekend gateway for domestic visitors particularly from North India, Maharashtra, Gujarat and parts of South India.
With Goa declaring February 14 as Dry Day owing to the polls, it could spell further doom but Shah denies.
He said that on stakeholders’ request, the Election Commission agreed sale of liquor after the polling time is over.
“It is a Velentine’s Day too so we had requested allowing the liquor outlets to re-open after the voting. We are thankful to the Election Commission for considering our request,” he said.
As per the recent order, all licenced premises “for the sale of liquor” will be closed from 6 pm of February 12 till 6 pm of February 14 and on March 10, 2022 in view of the 2022 General Elections to the Goa Legislative Assembly.
However, the licenced premises having licence for Bar and Restaurant may be allowed to keep the restaurant open for serving food only and the bar counter shall be closed and no liquor shall be allowed to be served on the above mentioned days.
A liquor outlet operator Amresh Dhuri said their business could face setback as they will lose the weekend sale. “But we have to follow the rules,” he said adding “sale during weekends and holiday, are more than the other days. Although, not in many numbers, Goa still has quite a few domestic and international visitors around. We might lose a bit of revenue but no regrets.”
The State has been receiving charter tourists since December 2021. The frequency has dropped in the recent days but the stakeholders expect a rise with the lifting of restrictions.
“We have Carnival coming in. We expect huge influx of tourists. Bookings have already begun and that has given us some relief,” said another member from the TTAG.
Shah added that bookings will see a rise after the February 20.
