hile 35 per cent of total Goa’s population, which amounts to nearly four lakh people, is engaged directly or indirectly for promotion and facilitation of tourism in the State, the tourism industry contributes a minimum of 16 per cent to the State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP). These figures were shared by a source in the Tourism Department of the State of Goa.
Chartered flights, which are sourced from various countries, are the mainstays for tourism in Goa as many tourists would book their stay in the State from seven days minimum to as long as three months. However, due to worldwide COVID pandemic, the tourism industry in Goa is apprehensive of arrival of chartered flights. So far even the Indian or Goa government is not clear on giving permission for the charter operators to act and roll out their services.
“First of all, as an industry, we are very optimistic because we have sent a request to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Civil Aviation Minister to allow the chartered flights to land in Goa. We are being told that the Chief Minister has already spoken and has also sent a letter to the Home Ministry in this regard. We are expecting the announcement soon, because unless it is clear, our source market cannot start the booking and remitting the amount. So we are waiting for announcement and opening of chartered flights, the visa portal, e-visa, which has to go side by side. So now, we are very optimistic that the announcement will come very soon,” said the President of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Nilesh Shah.
To operate chartered flights, there are a few issues. The first is the source market and there are lots many things happening there too. For instance, in UK, the cases are going up, so there were a lot of bookings, which were coming in that have now, got cancelled. Secondly, the government will have to make their stance clear as there is a lot of positivity in Russia and the Russians want to come to Goa too.
“I believe from October they are starting the Sputnik vaccination for the general public very soon. However, November and December do not look that encouraging, reason being the cases from the second wave in the European countries, which is our source market. But if the announcement is made right away, at least there will be few charter flights that will start coming in. So, maybe, January, February, March, wherein we will see at least some recovery,” added Nilesh.
The TTAG expects that even if they can get 20 or 30 per cent of the traffic of chartered flights this year, it could be the best start given the facts that are spanning out. However, the tourism industry in Goa is now banking on the arrival of domestic tourists.
“Domestic tourists will be the key for the survival for this financial year, so the focus as of now is on this. Casinos also need to start. The MHA guideline should allow casinos, river cruise, swimming pool, weddings, MICE etc, which will boost the tourism industry of Goa. Right now film shoots are happening and that is giving business to hotels, taxi owners, restaurants etc and it is sending a positive signal after nearly 5-6 months,” said the TTAG President.
Ernest Dias, Chief Operating Officer of SITA and TCI, which represents a foreign charter operator also shared his opinion about what the season has in store for Goa. “We promote all the hotels in Goa and we provide all the ground arrangements, some information on Goa or India. The strategy right now is difficult to gauge. Everything is on hold because we do not know what is going to happen next. We are prepared for the chartered flights to be allowed to land in Goa but we are still waiting for bookings to come in now. I really do not know how long we will have to wait for the permission. However, I am aware that Russians are very keen to visit Goa,” said Ernest.
Guitry Velho, Vice-President and General Manager Heritage Village Resorts, was also asked how he feels tourism in Goa can flourish given that chartered flights are virtually grounded due to the pandemic.
He replied saying, “That’s a very big question. Chartered flights are a large part of the pie of Goa’s tourism. The UK and the Russian charters contribute to 90 per cent of inbound business from tourists in Goa. They book budget hotels to deluxe hotels. Secondly, the State benefits from the different types of services that they avail during their stay. The length of stay of such tourists ranges from 14 to 21 nights. So if the charters do not come, we will face a very disastrous year,” said Guitry.
He went on to add that, “I am still hopeful as the Chief Minister seems to be taking some very proactive steps in speaking to the Centre to get permissions for the charters to land. The TTAG is doing its bit and hopefully from mid-December or January charters will be allowed to land.”
When quizzed about the December 24 to January 2 window period, which sees hike in tariffs of hotels and taxis, Guitry responded, “We cannot take a call right on that window. That window becomes high priced only because of demand. So there may be a three or four day window between December 28 and January 2. I do not see Christmas being very hot right now. But we may see domestic travelers. If there are charters coming, then the entire Christmas fortnight becomes a good period. So charters are extremely critical for Goa, as a tourist destination, to survive.”
Francisco Braganca, owner of Double Tree by Hilton and former TTAG President believes that the scenario is pretty bad. “This year is not expected to come up and yes we will have the domestic season. I do not think the international chartered flights will come,” said Francisco.
On the window of the peak season between December 24 and January 2, Francisco gave a candid response, saying “That will not happen. Hiking of prices will not happen when there will be demand. Very few hotels are opening as there are lesser footfalls of tourists. The season does not look good at all. I think by February next year or even more, things would improve.”
Managing Director of the travel firm Purushottam Bhagwan and Associates, Nilesh Shah who is also the TTAG President when asked about the packages they are offering to tourists said, “The package what we offered in 2010,…. we are offering the same prices right now, which a good value for the customers so. As far as the window of December 24-January 2, I see that the situation is evolving at the moment and if we see the month of October, the footfalls will peak and by November the footfalls will start decreasing. All will depend on the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine. Presently, there are 570 hotels running out of 3,870 and with the bookings we are getting for the month of December; and with the business ranging between 10-12 per cent, more hotels will open up in the in the coming days in months of October and November. Looking at this trend I guess the occupancy this season should around 50 per cent.”
He added that, “We are trying to make a combined package with the airlines and hotels for tourists, which will help the tourists to decide better as how to get the best value for money for them. We are already talking to airlines and they are showing keen interests and we are trying the success stories of earlier times.”
