PANJIM: If premature end of charter season was not enough, drop in arrivals including that of Indian tourists during the long weekend starting on Friday has disappointed the stakeholders.
The Holy Week (Good Friday through Easter Sunday) coupled with poll holidays in the neighbouring Karnataka on Thursday, April 18 and Tuesday, April 23 could have proven a silver lining in the Goa tourism industry. But soaring flight rates particularly from Mumbai and Bangalore followed by Delhi, and restrictions on liquor in lieu of elections has dampened the show.
“We were hopeful that the long weekend would revive tourism even for 5-6 days. The season was already hit by several factors since its start in October; and the election process has further dented arrivals,” a reputed travel agent said.
After experiencing poor season in the last couple of years, the stakeholders were hopeful that the ongoing tourist season would salvage their trade. However, the State witnessed massive drop in charter flight arrivals since the commencement of the season in October indicating that the State is not on top of the list of foreign travelers.
With foreign tourist arrivals declining, the stakeholders banked on the domestic tourists to help them sail through the season. But their expectation is once again as domestic tourist arrivals too have declined.
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) said that the drop in arrivals was anticipated. “The drop was anticipated because of the elections… It has affected the industry,” TTAG President Savio Messias told Herald.
The hoteliers are also reeling under immense pressure as the occupancy has gone below par with a reputed 3-star hotel claiming that its occupancy is below 50 percent. “The hotel rooms would almost be full during the long weekend unlike this time. Our occupancy is less than 50 percent. Ban on liquor and other election-related process have affected our trade,” he said off the record.
Another hotelier from the popular tourism belt of Calangute-Candolim also claimed that occupancies that would touch 90 percent during the festivals and long weekend, is poor this time. “People come to Goa for entertainment and in view of elections, sale and serving of liquor is banned after 11 pm. Similarly, all entertainment shows and night-outs also shut by this time,” he said.
However, the scene in the capital city is different. President of Goa Hotel & Restaurant Association Gaurish Dhond said that hotel bookings have also been satisfactory as several hoteliers reduced room tariffs to woo visitors. “Online booking of hotel rooms has become a trend just like booking a flight online. Since the drop in room rates flashes on several websites, people tempt to book the rooms and as such, they travel to Goa,” he said adding, “A large number of hotels in Panjim have recorded 80-90 percent occupancy this coming weekend. If the rates are not dropped, the rooms would be vacant.”
