PANJIM: While the rain pounds the State almost non-stop, for the tourism industry it’s turning out to be a dry and disappointing season. Hotels, after the green signal from the government to reopen, have opened their doors and hung up the welcome sign, but the tourists are not coming.
While the organised sector is making all efforts to balance hospitality and safety of their guests as well as staff, with barely a few guests, many hotels wear a deserted look. The three-day lockdown announced now, further dampens the prospects of any business taking place.
Whispering Palms Beach Resort, which served as a quarantine centre for the homecoming seafarers, concedes that check-ins have not been up to the expectation. “We were partially open as a quarantine centre for six groups of seafarers. Since July 2, when the government allowed resumption of business, we are fully open for our guests. But there is hardly any booking,” hotel vice president Jacob John told Herald.
However, they look for a positive change once the COVID-19 situation eases. The resort, which would record at least 85 per cent occupancy before COVID-19, has on an average 5-6 rooms booked per day. “It is not satisfactory,” Jacob John said, quickly adding, “Having said that, we hope. It’s always an evolving situation as of now. It (coming days) depends totally on the surge of the virus and if there is a respite, then business is definitely going up.”
Another starred hotel, Double Tree by Hilton, is expecting business to grow as they have reopened just a week ago. “We do have guests staying at our hotel since we reopened. Some travel with the family looking for a short break, while some travel for business needs. We are getting frequent booking inquires, which we expect to grow after the first week of opening,” the hotel’s general manager Melville John said.
Hotel Grande Delmon in Panjim is in a similar the situation. While take away orders are keeping the restaurant staff busy, there are hardly any diners in the restaurant. The hotel’s management official Shekhar Divadkar, on being asked about the response post-resumption of business, said, “Take-aways are happening, but dine-in is not much. In terms of occupancy, there is nothing much to talk about. Though we are getting inquiries from prospective guests.”
After insistence from stakeholders, including the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa on allowing hotels to operate, the government granted the permission with strict conditions to comply with. A standard operating procedure was also released, based on which the hotels have reopened.
The permission, interestingly, comes at a time when the State – even before the pandemic – would not get enough tourists during the monsoon season. COVID-19 has further crippled the industry.
Nevertheless, hoteliers claim they are happy and relieved with the government’s decision. “Goa is always a popular destination. I think the fact remains that COVID-19 is here to stay and the government has been very positive by taking this step to reopen Goa’s tourism industry,” Jacob John said as he expects that business for the hotel industry will take shape by September.
Divadkar also opined that the government’s decision is gearing them up for the coming days and to take up all the measures while handling the COVID-19 crisis. “Business is very slow. The only thing is that it gives us the confidence that we can start, we can be prepared for taking up all the measures to handle the present COVID-19 situation,” he said.
Of 260 registered hotels granted permission to operate, around 150 have complied with all the norms laid down in the Tourism Department’s SOP.
All Goa Hotels & Restaurants Association president Gaurish Dhond said though the response has not been satisfactory, the decision of the government has geared them up for taking up the measures to carry out business. “Not all the hotels have resumed business. Many don’t have customers. However, the hotels need to remain open for corporates since many have tie-ups with several companies/agencies. We have people coming in for business trips besides those who are technical experts, engineers, auditors and many more whose services are needed in Goa and they require accommodation,” he said.
The association has also given a thumbs up to the government decision, although the ongoing crisis has currently kept them from achieving a good response from their visitors.
