24 Oct 2021  |   05:12am IST

It’s looking a bit worrying

The charter business in Goa could be affected seriously this season with the Russian government set to impose a lockdown yet again due to the dramatic surge in cases and numbers surging in the UK. These are markets that are important to the state’s tourism industry. Members of the charter and hospitality industry expressed their opinion on the emerging situation.

Ajit John

The more things change the

more they seem to stay the same. The tourism industry in Goa had collapsed due to the virus. Jobs were lost in their thousands. The industry was shut down for several months. It was pretty bad without a doubt. However a corner was turned over a period of time and the industry started functioning. Hotels reopened and people started working and earning money. Domestic tourists started coming in droves. And yes tourists from Russia and England expressed their interest in coming over to Goa. There was growing excitement among hoteliers who depended on foreign tourists for business. Everyone seemed happy. But then life is full unexpected twists and turns. The virus has now back with a vengeance in Russia and the UK. The Russian authorities have decided to impose a lock down which means everything gets delayed. The English authorities on the other hand decided to stay put and not do anything. These developments evoked reactions from people in the industry.

Aloo Gomes COO Trail Blazers Tours said it would affect bookings without a doubt. He said “The hotels are full till November 15 thanks to all the domestic tourists who are here and will continue to come. I believe these international developments will result in a delay. I think the charters could start by December 15 and the traffic will certainly pick up then. It is however important that Sops are in place and perhaps some changes will have to be in place. The situation is very fluid and I am hoping things will improve. Let’s hope for the best.”

Nilesh Shah President of the TTAG said the Indian government had announced that charters would be allowed and the first charter would come by Dec 13 from the UK. He said “When the tourists from the UK fly to Goa, a lot of protocols have to be followed. People who have taken their vaccinations and are confident of coming will be here perhaps by December. There is time and we should be able to manage. With regards to the Russians, all of them are budget travelers. Tests will have to be compulsory and that will have an effect on the costs. I believe we have to be patient and ensure we don’t get too desperate for business. I think by January and February the numbers will come. Let’s wait and watch.”

Sheikh Ismail of Concord Exotic Voyages a charter company based in Goa said this development would certainly have an effect. He said” It will take some more time for the situation to improve. There will be a delay in the flow of international interests from these countries. Maybe after November they will come. Our business partners in Russia are waiting for the Russian and Indian government to give the signal. That has not happened because of the state of affairs on the ground. Once the Russian says yes, then they will upload on their system. Then the bookings will commence. Let’s hope for the best.”

Ernest Dias VP of Kuoni Travel India said it was unfortunate the numbers had gone up. He felt it would definitely affect the number of people coming to India. He said “The important question to ask is if the charters will operate. Their government and our government should give the clearance. We have a wait and watch policy. I feel the number of flights will be less this year. In time that will increase as the years go by.”

Savia Messais hotelier and former President of TTAG said it would not be sensible to expect huge numbers like in the previous years. He said” We need to be modest and welcome all those who come in. We expect a lot of restrictions. The foreigners will be less but we have the domestic tourists who are here in large numbers and will continue to come. We have to be realistic about the situation.”

It looks like the charters many fly in but it will be the domestic tourists who will save the day for the Goan tourism industry.