- Goa has been reporting a steady footfall of domestic tourists
- Various popular beaches in the state are recently witnessing a major influx of tourists
- Goa’s Tourism Director, Menino D’Souza said there will be no direct impact of Maharashtra’s guidelines on the state’s tourism
THoD Newsdesk, Goa: Recently, the state of Goa has been reporting a steady footfall of domestic tourists yet the tourism industry of the state, hasn’t been able to reap any benefits, owing to the pandemic and its repercussions. Although various popular beaches in the state, inclusive of Calangute, Candolim, Baga in North Goa district and Colva and Palolem in South Goa, are witnessing a major influx of tourists, since Diwali season.
Most tourists visiting Goa from the neighbouring states are now preferring to spend only a day and return home by evening instead of staying at hotels, as per reports. Further, a chunk of the tourists have been carrying home-cooked meals, instead of dining out, as the fear of contracting the virus still looms large.
President of Traditional Shack Owners’ Association, Manuel Cardoso, stated, “The tourists visiting Goa come in their own vehicles and carry home-cooked food to avoid eating out. They buy liquor from wholesale wine stores. Due to these factors, the beach shacks are still wearing a deserted look.” He further added that many members affiliated to his association are yet to set up shacks as they are waiting to gauge the response of tourists.
“Majority of the tables at the shacks that are operating now are empty. Hardly a few people are found entering the shacks for meal or drink,” he said. Cardoso also mentioned that the rush of tourists is being observed only at the prime beaches. “But if you walk a little away from the main areas, other beach belts are mostly deserted,” he stated.
Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Nilesh Shah said, “Hotels are reporting low occupancy despite November being a peak tourist season for Goa’s tourism industry, which is considered the backbone of its economy.” “The tourists don’t stay back. They don’t stay in a hotel, which is why the hotel occupancy is poor even now,” Shah added.
According to TTAG, the guidelines which have been set in motion by the Maharashtra government, making it mandatory for the people from Goa to carry RT-PCR negative reports while entering that state, will definitely impact Goa’s tourism sector. Shah said that such guidelines would hit Goa in a big way even as the state expects a revival of tourism industry next month.
However, Goa’s Tourism Director, Menino D’Souza said there will be no direct impact of Maharashtra’s guidelines on the state’s tourism. “But it may leave some indirect impact on Goa’s tourism business,” he said.
