30 Nov 2020  |   04:21am IST

Wedding destination Goa loses charm post COVID-19

Destination weddings have always been a big contributor to the Goan economy. This year however, the pandemic has thrown a spanner in the works. Planned weddings are being cancelled or postponed and the ever changing SPOs from various governments have crushed the enthusiasm. VIKANT SAHAY spoke to several stakeholders to find out more
Wedding destination Goa loses charm post COVID-19

VIKANT SAHAY

Goa has been a favourite destination for weddings in the past. Every year the State would host about 800 to 1,000 such weddings. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant restrictions, Goa this season is unlikely to attract weddings in such numbers.

MD of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Nikhil Desai said, “We had about 800-1000 small, medium and big scale weddings in Goa in which people came from outside the State in the previous wedding seasons. The group sizes varied between 50-500 people. However, this size has no correlation to the spending which can range from Rs 80 lakh to Rs five crore and more. This surely gives a boost to the local economy and its stakeholders. However, the restrictions and SPOs are a major challenge and we are bound to see a sharp drop in such events in the coming season.” 

When asked how the immediate future for Goa as a wedding destination looks like, Nikhil Desai said, “It will be subdued and there is no doubt about it. At least till next October 2021 sentiment will be low as people are not travelling or they do not have the same level of enthusiasm as elders are sceptical to move out of their comfort zone and without elders no weddings take place. There are several people who have already postponed their wedding plans in Goa.”

Goa being a destination place for events and tourism pandemic has impacted a lot to the event industry. People have cut down the expenses. Wedding budgets are drastically down for local weddings as well. “As a businessman in the event industry, we have to be creative go getters for this ‘new normal’. We have suggested unique ideas to our clients to maintain protocol and SOPs of the government. Slowly, we are getting queries for destination weddings in the month of December and for next year till April 2021,” said Upendra Pai Raikar of Conquer Events.

“We always tell our clients to carry COVID negative certificate, for meetings we maintain physical distancing. In this virtual life, we show the venue or décor online through whatsapp video call or zoom.  To maintain SOP's and protocols there is hike in the cost for weddings and events. We feel next year will be a better year for weddings and events because the weddings which are pending will be orchestrated next year,” he added.

As the wedding window is small and the time period is important along with the limited availability of venue, Conquer Events has started a campaign “Har Din Shubh Hai” (everyday is auspicious). “Har Din Shubh Hai is an initiative to raise awareness that all dates in the calendar year are auspicious to host weddings and festivities. Even hotels and venues support us in this campaign not only in Goa but all over India. Post the pandemic, collaboration is the only mantra for a win-win situation. I am open to collaborate with wedding agencies or travel agencies from other States as Goa is always been a favourite destination for events,” said Pai Raikar.

Tushar Sawal of Sawal Events believes that, “Since the pandemic there has been a huge loss to the event industry especially to the small scale companies. We have faced a lot of problems in paying salaries to the employees who are totally dependent on us. Since people are travelling from other States it is risky to work in coordination with them. Now that weddings are slowly starting it is a sign of some relief. Considering the SOPs and norms from the government it is actually becoming easier to manage and work efficiently even during the pandemic.”

At Planet Hollywood, Goa, the hotel ended on a high note in 2019. Through the year, over 50 couples had chosen to celebrate their wedding at Planet Hollywood. “We were looking forward to 2020 and were excited to be a part of many more such happy moments. However, 2020 was to bring us many, many surprises; most of them unpleasant. The COVID-19 pandemic hit and hit all of us hard. Travel and tourism were hit harder than most sectors and bustling hotels and resorts soon resembled ghost towns. The period between April and August were difficult for business, to say the least. But with the easing of restrictions, the situation has improved,” said David D’Souza, Alliance and Business Development Manager at Planet Hollywood.

The hotel however has begun to host wedding groups now and although there is a 15 per cent decrease in business over last year, this is an encouraging scenario when taken in context of the lockdown and other restrictions. 

 “Of course, running the business is harder because of the Government regulations and SOPs that we need to follow. So, masks, gloves, shields, sanitising, disinfecting, social distancing, contactless process when possible have now become an inherent part of our business. We believe strongly in giving our guests an experience that keeps them coming back for more. We are the first Asian theme-based resort and all our rooms reflect that. We are also proud to be a resort that is pet friendly, eco-friendly and LGBT friendly. We pride ourselves on ‘curation’ and we treat all guests as if they were celebrities. And of course, being based in Goa, direct beach access is a huge plus,” added D’Souza.

Another segment which plays a vital role in execution of weddings is the photographers and videographers. The President of United Goan Photographers and Videographers Association (UGPVA) Oscar das Chagas e Silva said, “Yes, there are weddings but very few and the event managers are making money at our cost. The rich clients from outside Goa have postponed their weddings which were planned to take place in Goa. The event managers have reduced our payments for event coverage by at least 50-60 per cent and yet they want the best of our creative services. We are being paid peanuts and we too have suffered badly during this pandemic.”

Similarly, Sheetal Surve, owner, Blueberry Hair and Skin Beauty Studio who specialises in bridal make-ups said, “People are now going to basic simple make-up even for weddings. There is not much enthusiasm and all are saving money and we do not have respite from the rentals. It is no more the same as it used to be and the earnings of ours have dropped by at least 50 per cent. We only hope that the next year would be better one for all of us.” 

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar