First chartered flight with 519 Russians lands in Goa

VASCO: The first chartered flight with 519 Russian tourists on board arrived at Dabolim international Airport on Sunday morning marking the beginning of the tourism season 2017-18.

Representatives of the Concord Exotic Voyages, which is the chartered tour operator for Air Rossiya along with the officials of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) besides officials from state tourism department, accorded a warm welcome to the Russian tourists on their arrival at the airport.

Speaking to reporters, Sheikh Ismail, senior official from Concord Exotic Voyages India Private Limited said that during the current tourism season Goa will witness a growth in international tourist arrivals. 

He claimed that this will be the first time in last several years that the first chartered flight arrived in Goa on October 1. Last year, the first chartered flight arrived on October 2. He informed that in October, Concord will bring two chartered flights a week to Goa and from November onwards the same will be increased to four flights per week and similar number of arrivals would continue till May 2018.”   

“This chartered aircraft which landed on Sunday has the capacity of 524 passengers and 519 arrived in the first flight. Last year, 492 Russian tourists arrived in Goa in the first chartered flight and the increase in number of passengers this year in the first flight shows that the response from international tourists is good.  Our next chartered flight to Goa will arrive on October 8,” Ismail informed.

Anil Dalal, GTDC Assistant Manager claimed that the department expects an increase in international tourist arrivals and chartered flights this season.

Meanwhile, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Savio Messias said, “We are happy that the first chartered flight landed today and the tourism season has begun. But we are worried as just 30-odd charted flights are going to arrive in October, making it just one flight a day, which is not a good sign. Last year, we had around 1000 chartered flights, which was around 150 to 200 flights per month (from October to March). However, this time, the number is less with only 30 flights in October. So we are a little apprehensive this tourism season”.

He said, “Also the issue of allotment of slots for landing is not yet resolved, we are hopeful that Chief Minister would intervene and resolve the same on an urgent basis. Earlier, hotels were booked in advance. However, due to slot issues, many hotels this year have not received advance bookings. Once landing slots are allotted then chartered companies start ticket bookings.  Once tickets are booked only then the hotels would be booked in advance, but if slots are not allotted then whole chain breaks. We therefore hope that Navy and AAI extend their cooperation and resolve the issue of slots for landing”.