PANJIM: Tourism department is hoping to cash in on visitors from the Gulf countries attracted by the pleasant weather conditions and lush greenery in the State during the monsoon, to sell its ‘raindrop tourism’ that was launched a couple of years ago.
“Goa is seeing good results from this concept. The recent Arabian Travel Mart 2015 in Dubai has endorsed that tourists from Gulf regions will be heading to Goa during the monsoon this year too,” Tourism Director Ameya Abhyankar told Herald. Goa’s monsoon between June and September coincides with summer vacations in the Gulf.
Goa, which has Kerala as a close competitor, particularly while offering monsoon packages, has seen a surge in the number of bookings as figures for June-September 2014 recorded the arrival of over one lakh tourists more than in the corresponding period of the preceding year.
As per data, 5,25,778 domestic as well as overseas visitors enjoyed the 2013 monsoon, while in 2014 the number was 6,28,190, an increase by 1,02,412.
Abhyankar said that the increasing number of domestic tourists, including those from North India, where the monsoon arrives late, throng Goa. Besides, many from the neighbouring states drive down to the State during weekends.
“Several festivals celebrated during the monsoon, starting with Sao Joao, Sangodd and Bonderam make Goa an attractive destination to visit during the season. We are expecting good footfalls this year alike previous years,” he added. Foreign tourists coming in as Free Independent Travelers (FITs) will also boost overseas arrivals.
Goa Tourism and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation have already begun aggressive marketing and promotion activities that include eco-trails to the hinterlands, bike tours to certain scenic locations, white water rafting, trekking and bird watching among others.
