Flying to Goa for this New Year to cost less

PANJIM: The year 2020 has indeed not been good for any sector, courtesy — COVID-19 outbreak. For Goa, it has been even worst as the tourism sector took a hit. Nevertheless, there’s a silver lining as the air fares had never been cheaper as this year-end. The flight rates from various destinations to Goa are recorded between Rs 2,000 and Rs 7,000 per passenger; fares which never came below Rs 10,000 during the peak season. 

After an initial disappointment when Goa opened its doors for holidayers from July 2, the past few weeks have kept the coastal State buzzing with domestic  tourists, particularly this month. 

“The world has accepted that we have to live with COVID-19 until a vaccine is born to eliminate the virus. People are travelling to various destinations for a small break to come out of the stressful year. The arrival of domestic tourists has salvaged business of many stakeholders,” said a past member of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG). 

While many families, couples and solo travellers from the neighbouring States drove down to Goa, the cheaper than ever air fares has caught the attention. 

To begin with, is country’s largest commercial capital Mumbai, from where flying to Goa this year seems like a dream come true. The rates that would once cross Rs 20,000 during the fag-end of the year, now cost Rs 2,956 on the New Year’s Eve while, the rates for December 29-30 are between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 per passenger. 

The sharp decline in fares could also be attributed to Maharashtra government’s SOP on carrying COVID-19 negative certificate or spot testing for every entrant to the State. With no such rule applicable for road travellers, the Maharashtra registered vehicles have swarmed into the coastal State. 

The Delhi air fares too are in the affordable category as the year-end rates start from Rs 5,000 approx to Rs 11,000 approx for days from December 29-31. 

The trend is similar with the fares from tech cities – Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune. The flight charges from Bangalore are between Rs 6,000 and Rs 8,000 approx whereas flying from Hyderabad on New Year’s Eve is surprisingly Rs 3,000 approx and from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 approx on the two days – December 29-30. 

For those flying from Pune, the charges are slightly high on December 29 at Rs 10,951 and drop to Rs 5,386 and Rs 2,814 on December 30 and December 31 respectively.  

Increasing tourists have also given a breather to the hotel industry as bookings have been in demand. 

TTAG president Nilesh Shah informed that of the total 4100 official hotels and 46000 room nights registered with Goa Tourism, 1300 hotels have started. Most of these include five-star, four-star and three-star hotels while occupancy in 5-star hotels is upto 90 per cent and others are around 70 per cent.

“The rates offered are approx 30 per cent less than last year,” he said insisting that all visitors should follow the SOPs required as COVID-19 still exists. “Since opening of the industry in Goa (after the pandemic lockdown) there is an increase in occupancy in hotels every month. River cruises, water sports and other activities are also having decent business,” the TTAG president added. 

On the flights, Shah stated that these are in full capacity with December always a good month for Goa.