Goa has stepped into yet another long weekend, and akin to the trend on most long weekends,
the airfares to Goa have skyrocketed, the accommodation options along the
Northern beach belt have experienced a surge in the bookings, and the two-wheeler
rentals are happy to have their cash registers ringing, yet again. The tourism
business in the state has got a shot in the arm and while the tourists are
raising a toast to celebrate the good life, some locals can’t help but feel
cheated.
Every long weekend in Goa brings with it a paradox of sorts. It
is great for tourists who don’t mind spending a few extra bucks to relieve
themselves from their mundane, stressful lives in the metros – the cheap
alcohol more than makes up for the loss, anyway. But for the locals, it is yet
another occasion to be fleeced and there’s no escape from it, regardless of how
genuine the situation is. Abhijeet Desai, an entrepreneur from Margao, learnt
this the hard way when he had to return from a business meeting in Mumbai, on
Friday. Abhijeet says, “The cheapest flight to Goa was for Rs 12,000, which is
almost three times the usual damages. And let’s not even get started on the
unregulated taxi system in Goa. If not for time constraints, the only
economical option for locals returning home is to drive the long distance.”
But not everything about the situation is sad. The otherwise
semi-parched travel and hospitality industry has all the reasons to rejoice
with the heavy influx of tourists. And with most of the stakeholders of the
industry hailing from the state, long weekends are a reason to smile. Gregory
Fernandes, owner of a beach house in Baga, says, “We are running to a full
occupancy till August 15. We received bookings as early as around the last week
of July. A major chunk of tourists who hadn’t planned their short vacation well
in advance are now trying to make-do with whatever options they have in order
to have a roof over their heads.”
To make the most of the opportunity, a few music events have
also been strategically planned along the dates of the long weekend. Satellite
Beachside, an EDM festival conceptualised by Shailesh Shetty and Pearl Miglani
last year, is back in its second edition and the four-day extravaganza that
began on Friday will stretch itself till Monday, August 14. Apart from the
local DJs performing at the festival alongside artistes from all across India,
local businesses around Waters Beach Lounge & Grill – the venue of the
festival, are set to benefit from the influx of music lovers. Nikhil Chinapa,
one of the key persons behind the festival, says, “The event is very well
attended by fans from across India. Several friends have made specific plans to
be in Goa for this weekend because of Satellite Beachside. With regard to the
impact on local businesses, I’m not aware of the exact numbers but I know that
rooms seem to be sold out at many hotels across Anjuna and Vagator.”
So
if you’re a local running a hospitality business in Goa, or a tourist looking
to have a good time, this long weekend is just the right time to celebrate
before things get busier in the peak season. For everyone else not game for a
slightly heavier strain on their wallets, staying indoors is the most
economical option out there.
