It is a day of great significance for couples around the world. It is a day when promises are made and sealed with a kiss and a candle light dinner. Many also choose this day to proclaim their love. People doing any of these two moves can run into the tens of thousands around the world. Many of them chose to do this either in a romantic locale or a hotel. This means huge billings for restaurants or hotels around the world. The same holds true for a place like Goa, a place that attracts tens of thousands of tourists from all over the country every month. It is a place unlike any other in the country. This Valentine’s Day the hospitality industry is looking forward to it with much anticipation. The industry is still recovering from the ravages caused by the virus. Locked for several months and thousands of jobs lost.
Ajith Nair Head Sales and Marketing at a resort said they intended to have a special dinner with entertainment around the pool. He said “We are already at around eighty percent for that day. We have bookings from couples from areas as diverse as Lucknow, Kanpur which is very interesting. We have a romance package which has caught the fancy of couples around the country. We have closed inventory. The dinner will be five course and is very popular. Valentine’s Day will be a special occasion for all our guests”.
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Couples were even trying out properties in sites out of the ordinary. Savio Messias a hotelier who runs a tented property in Canacona said business was very encouraging. He said “Since it falls on a Sunday, there will be huge crowds in Goa. I am aware many places are sold out. The fact it coincides with the Carnival is very good. I think it will be a good success for us”.
It is not only couples from other parts of the country who are coming over, even Goan couples are expected to book a table on the day. Victor Soares, SR GM at a five star property in the south said his Sunday brunch was very popular with Goan couples and they would make their presence felt though he admitted guests from others states would make a substantial percentage of the bookings.
Vincent Ramos, Area Director – IHCL, Goa and General Manager – Taj Resort & Convention Centre, Goa said “I am delighted to inform that for the Valentine’s day weekend, all our hotels are at a high occupancy.
Those celebrating Valentine’s day can immerse themselves in some of the most stunning natural backdrops whilst enjoying signature flavours created by our chefs”
The cost of packages can vary wildly. Saurabh Khanna the GM of the Park Hotels in Goa said the property had planned a special menu for the Sunday brunch and dinner. He smiled and said tables were being booked and he expected it to be sold out. Some properties are positioning each sit down session as an opportunity to target a specific audience. Melville John, General Manager of a five star property at Kadamba Plateau said they had special offerings like a Soulmate Soiree over a romantic dinner, a Susegad Sunday brunch or a Valentines Escape.
One can only hope this spirit continues in an industry that has faced the wrath of the virus last year and is still not back on its feet as yet with many small hotels struggling to open or stay open.
