Charters: High hopes but short of mission 1000

When the first batch of Russian tourists entered the Dabolim airport terminal on October 2, one could say the 2016-17 season had commenced. This group of 492 international tourists will be the first of several thousand’s who will come his season. Or will that be the case?     

Enquiries made at the Dabolim airport with Bhupesh Negi, Airport Director revealed that the authorities were expecting 1000 plus charter flights this season.  

Mr Negi said “The flights are emanating from the usual countries, I mean like Russia, Uk, Germany and Sweden. As off now there are no flights coming from any new countries.” 

Earnest Dias, VI Sita World Travel Pvt Ltd said like always the season would all depend on the tour operators. Earnest said “Thomas Cook airlines, who we represent, will be flying in twice from November 1 which will then increase by another 2 from December, from the UK. From Helsinki from mid December to mid March there will be a weekly flight. Please remember that last year the Scandinavians came in via Qatar Airways.” 

Earnest felt there was a possibility of a charter from the Czech Republic later in the season though nothing was confirmed as yet. The numbers he said looked good especially from Russia and the UK market was responding in a much better fashion as compared to last year. 

This is a rather sensitive subject given the fact that the number of charter flights was on an upward trend. In 2013-14, 1128 charter flights landed at Dabolim airport bringing in 2,61,452 international tourists. In 2014-15 this number dropped dramatically to 895 charter flights with a resultant drop to 1,61,316 a drop of 1,00,136 international tourists. This dramatic drop was caused by a reduction of 233 flights. The coup de grace was delivered in the 2015-16 season when the number of charter flights dropped to 798 charter flights resulting in just 1,58,799 international tourists visiting Goa. (SEE BOX)

Earnest Dias however expressed caution with regards the new season. Two murders had been committed in one day recently and with the BRICS summit being held in Goa there could be a possibility of a terrorist attack. This he felt could result in travel advisories which could blow the season apart. With elections expected in the new year and the dry days that came along with it, it could affect business.   He however also added that with Egypt and Turkey going through a slump in tourist numbers there was a good chance they could come to Goa.  However like a lot of things in Goa there is another side especially when it comes to the Russian market.  

An web interaction with a sales executive on charterflights.com   revealed that bookings in the UK market were very encouraging and Thomson and Thomas Cook airlines would be coming to Goa this year. Thomson she said would fly to Goa on Sunday and Thomas Cook on Saturday.  The first flight she said would depart Gatwick by Thomson on November 5 arriving Goa on November 6. This will continue through to March April 2017.   

Savio Messias, President, Travel, Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) expected an increase in the number of British charters. He expected an overall increase of 20 to 25% increase in the number of flights.  A Dreamliner was the aircraft of choice to bring tourists to Goa and that would remain this season too. This aircraft can transport up to 290 passengers every flight. From December 12 there will be 2 additional flights from Britain.  There would be 5 flights from the UK in November and by mid December there will be 7 flights per week. With regards the Czech market, no present charter operator which was operating in that market. Fly Dubai which was being used by that market was having problems with the landing in Goa, Mr Messias revealed and he hoped it would be sorted out soon. With regards the Russian market, last year around 11,50,019 tourists from that country visited Goa. He expects a slight increase in numbers in this season. 

Ekatrina Belyakova earlier of the Russian Information Centre who was involved in bringing in tourists from Russia to Goa and had a ring side view to the problems last season expressed caution. She said “Things are still very fluid, nothing is really confirmed. The economy in Russia is still tight and I would not be willing to say that the Russians will be in Goa in large numbers.”     

Another long time operators in the charter market Bush Miranda, Managing Director, Cicerone Air Transport Services Pvt Ltd  said “The Russian rouble has fallen and the people in that market have adapted to the circumstances, they want a holiday every year and they will come to Goa. I believe there will be an increase by 20 to 25% in the number of Russians but I am sceptical when I hear people say that 1000 charter flights will come in. There will be a 20% increase in flights from last year but 1000 flights will not happen.” It was important he said for Goan operators to go out aggressively and attend trade events like the ITM and other such events in Russia. Perhaps the final word should go to a charter operator who has been in the business for more than a decade and wanted to stay off record. This season he believed would be saved again by the domestic tourist. Amen to that