PANJIM: The British nationals to Goa are no longer backpackers as improving economic conditions back in UK has brought them on par with the high-spending Russian tourists. The positive development has given a new ray of hope to the coastal State that witnesses huge arrivals from UK and Russia. “The economic conditions in the UK has improved in the recent past. The Pound is stronger now. They are now high spenders too,” The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) President Advocate Francisco Braganza told a press briefing on Tuesday. The association while ruling out recent news coverage that Russians are looking out for cheap stay, claims that Russians are the biggest spenders in Goa. “It is wrong to say that Russians are looking for cheap hotels. They are high-spenders…” he said adding, “Goa caters to all categories of tourists right from offering a range of five-star hotels to reasonable accommodation.”
Seconding his statement, the Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in Goa Victor Albuquerque said each tourist’s minimum stay duration of seven days gives the State huge revenue benefit. “On an average, a Russian in the low-income bracket will spend about $25 per day, while those staying in 2-star or 3-star hotels will spend $50-$60 per day and the upper income bracket spends nearly $150 a day,” he explained. The Consulate as well as the TTAG has also complimented the introduction of e-visa system that has significantly increased the inflow of tourists to Goa. “More than 50 percent charter tourists come on e-visa,” Braganza said. The final data showing the inflow of international tourists, he urged, should, however, not be restricted to charter flights as several high-end tourists fly down to Goa by scheduled flights. “Goa is opening up to scheduled airlines too. Since there are many who come by scheduled flights, there are no exact figures available on the total number of arrivals,” he stated. Considering all this, Braganza said Russians should not fear travelling to the internationally-acclaimed coastal State as against reports in certain sections of the media claiming that Russia has dropped Goa from the list of safe destination.
