TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Just like Goa has seen a quantum jump in its international charter and tourists arrivals, the number of domestic tourists has witnessed a surge over the last five and half years, with 7.7 lakh arrivals till April 2014, and expected to multiply three-to-four times by December-end.
The tourism department received 21.27 lakh domestic tourists in the year 2009. The figure jumped to 22.01 lakh the following year, while in 2011, the number of domestic vacationers touched 22.25 lakh. In 2012, Goa received 23.37 lakh in 2012 and an impressive 26.29 lakh in 2013 calendar year, registering a sustained increase over the last five years.
This year till April, 7.77 lakh domestic tourists have thronged the State, and Tourism officials say this figure is expected to go up substantially.
Officials attributed this to a number of activities carried out by their department including road shows across Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and other northern India.
As reported by Herald, international charter arrivals from various countries hit a record growth of 13.25 percent in the recently concluded 2013-14 tourist season.
Moreover, deputy director Pamela Mascarenhas said that participation in important fairs and exhibitions as well as hosting shows in Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and other states have augmented the flow of tourists here. “Goa recorded 12.5 percent increase in arrival of domestic tourists, an all time high of 26.29 lakh in 2013 compared to 23.37 lakh tourists who arrived in 2012. This can be attributed due to aggressive efforts of the tourism department in organizing road shows, exhibitions and tourism events and also by undertaking several marketing and advertising campaigns in close association with leading hoteliers and travel agents,” she informed.
Mascarenhas also stated that tourism growth is driven by segments like honeymooners and wedding events, which in the last two years has brought sizeable travellers to the State. “The young domestic tourists prefer food, music, night life and are found frequenting the beaches, while middle-aged tourists prefer sightseeing including temples, churches and monuments,” she said adding, “The affluent tourists arrive in Goa for business, conferences, and for leisure along with their families.” Special offers by the GTDC and some private players have also encouraged maximum domestic tourists to the coastal State.
“The private hotels and GTDC offers several discounts and schemes especially during June to September, such as two-free room nights combo offers and packages, reduced rates on food, banquets, etc.” she elucidated.
