WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: With around 14,000 travellers flying into Goa daily, domestic tourism is helping heal the severely impacted tourism industry, at least partially. These tourist arrival figures are in addition to those travelling via rail and road, of which there is no proper data immediately available.
Goa currently has 70 direct flights landing at and taking off from Dabolim airport every day, bringing much-needed respite to tourism stakeholders who struggled during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The just-concluded International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and a public holiday for Republic Day on January 26 coming close to the weekend, has prompted a huge influx of tourists from various States.
“More than 70 direct flights with around 70 per cent occupancy are operating at Dabolim airport, which means approximately 14,000 passengers are landing in the State on a daily basis. The business for hotels is also picking up because these are offering attractive packages,” Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Nilesh Shah told Herald.
The State, after a long lull due to the pandemic that also adversely hit tourism in many countries, is receiving a good response in past few weeks, after the rush of the peak season around the New Year. Direct flights from new destinations such as Lucknow, Nagpur and Ahmadabad are among a few that have been an added advantage to the coastal State. Waiver for travellers, unlike in other states like Maharashtra that mandates incoming passengers carry a COVID-19 negative certificate, has also been a boom for Goa.
“Although small hotels are yet to commence their business, nearly all the stakeholders are getting some business,” Shah added.
With many companies in the metros extending work from home options, Goa has visitors spending more days than the average stay period of tourists otherwise. Several private accommodations, particularly those located along the coastal stretch, have been leased out to clients spending over a month in the State.
“Not only hotels, private houses/villas are also booked by individuals or families. It is either people on a ‘revenge travel’ mood or those still working from home,” a member of a travel association said.
The shacks too have been doing satisfactory business as All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society president Cruz Cardozo said that the influx of Indian tourists seems good.
“The weekend has been quite good. Indian tourists are coming in and we hope the situation improves in the coming months. We have learnt from our Russian clients that they might resume travel to India shortly. It will be a good respite to the stakeholders,” he said, speaking to Herald.
