Monsoons, though late, have provided some much-needed respite for Goa, climatically and economically. Far from being a deterrent, several tourists, domestic and
foreign, are visiting Goa to stake their share in this fresh green blanket. According to Pamela Mascarenhas, deputy director-tourism, cheap accommodation deals and natural beauty makes Goa a sought-after holiday destination even during the monsoons. “Goa has witnessed a considerable increase in number of tourists with 5.07 per cent in June 2014, compared with 2013,” she says. According to the department’s statistics, 2, 09,552 domestic and foreign tourists holidayed here in 2014, compared with 1, 99,439 during the same period in 2013.
The industry is projecting a growth of 7 to 8 per cent in the number of tourist arrivals this monsoons. Even as the tourism minister Dilip Parulekar battles flak for politiciansembarking on international junkets and road shows at government expense, Mascarenhas says the increase in the number of visitors is “also due to our marketing and promotional efforts and participation at various domestic and international road shows.” The season also sees several hotels offering special packages.
Ralph de Sousa, group chairman of de Souza group and former president of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has noticed a marginal 3 per cent hike in hotel occupancy till mid-July.
In addition to families and honeymooners, de Sousa highlights the increase in MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) tourism. “We have special packages for them too, which may include entertainment, gala nights, and on request even visits to factories or places of special interest,” he says, adding, “the stress being on MICE tourism, this segment being almost all male segment, we have majority of males visiting Goa. Thankfully, the bus loads of all-male groups that invade Goa during the fair season are much less during the rain.” Citing another trend, Mascarenhas says Goa is a popular monsoon destination for nature enthusiasts too.
“It is also suitable for youngsters and adventure enthusiasts who love to experience nature at its best. You can go bird-watching, rafting, trekking, visit wildlife sanctuaries, forts and spice plantations and off course not forgetting a beautiful drive along the Western Ghats.”
What’s interesting is that the monsoon also brings yet another segment of “budget tourists” to Goa. “Those whose budgets do not fit the rates of Goa in high season, wait to come during the monsoons when the rates are low. There are many Goa savvy highprofile domestic tourists who like to spend time in Goa during the monsoons.
They frequent fine dining restaurants and cafés that have good entertainment, heritage sites, art and literary exhibitions and festivals. Goa also gets some foreign tourists in monsoon who come mainly through foreign hotel chain circuits, while some others make a brief halt in Goa during their India cultural trip,” de Souza says.
Nishitha Nair Shrivastava
