Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa’s charm does not seem to have faded despite the COVID-19 pandemic that shook the entire world, with the tourist paradise’s popularity soaring in the western region. Air traffic at Dabolim airport has been giving a tough competition to even Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat where passenger movement, over a year ago, saw a boost due to improved connectivity.
Dabolim airport is the second after Mumbai in the western region to record increasing air traffic. “For around two months now, after Mumbai, we (Dabolim) have maximum traffic and flight operations in the western region,” Airport Director Gagan Malik told Herald.
Ahmedabad attracts more visitors than any airports in Gujarat being closer to several important tourist centres including beaches. Goa, however, got the edge in the last few weeks as many travellers are looking for short trips to the State. “Goa has maximum load and maximum traffic, in fact more than Ahmadabad,” an official said.
Sources said that conditions imposed by a few States of holding COVID-19 negative certificates have been an advantage for Goa that opened its doors for tourism on July 2, 2020.
“People are on a revenge holiday after following strict lockdown due to the pandemic. Since other States like Maharashtra, which are also eying to boost tourism, imposed mandatory conditions for incoming passengers to carry COVID-19 negative certificate or undergo spot testing even after unlocking of lockdown, people diverted to Goa,” a tourism stakeholder told Herald adding, “Although Mumbai is the highest in handling passengers in the western region, Goa stands second, defeating one of the biggest airports in Ahmedabad.”
The State has been recording a huge inflow of tourists since the fag-end of 2020 with the government and tourism stakeholders insisting on following all the SOPs to remain safe from COVID-19.
Herald, on inquiry, learnt that Dabolim airport handles around 12,000 passengers every weekend. As Carnival coincides with the weekend, the inflow is marginally higher.
“There’s a marginal increase in passenger traffic this weekend, which can be attributed to Carnival. Goa, on usual weekends record 10,000 to 12,000 incoming passengers. Goa is picking up well,” Malik said.
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) is also elated with the response from tourists but with condition that every visitor should follow the health guidelines.
“Around 72 flights are operating daily with occupancy between 70-80 percent which goes up during weekends. The weekends are always good and with Carnival, there is an additional buzz,” TTAG President Nilesh Shah said.
Although a small crowd compared to holiday period during Diwali and Christmas festivals, Shah stated that among the visitors, some might have coincided their visit to be a part of Goa’s annual show. Besides air, thousands of tourists have entered Goa via road.
