While the decline in chartered flights has to some extent affected Goan tourism, it has underlined the need to tap some new trends in the industry
JAY JOSHI
If there is anyone who loves winters, especially the year-end season more than most, it is Goan tourism industry. Goa witnesses a surge of tourists during December-January. It remains one of the top destinations in India to usher in the New Year. However, this year, there seem to be less tourists than previous year. Some news reports claim that even though five star hotels seem to be doing good, mid and low range budget hotels seem to be facing lower occupancy compared to previous year.
“Tourism is indeed come down this year because of various factors.” informs Ivo Cardozo, a finance consultant specialising in hoteling industry. “Not enough slots have been given for chartered aircrafts at the airport, rendering the situation inconvenient for travel companies.” he points out. “Secondly, our beaches are facing issues such as littering of garbage, stray animals, and increasing number of migrant labourers.” These issues, along with recent reports of criminal activities in the state have caused considerable damage to the state’s reputation, says Cardoso. He adds that budget hotels, which used to have full occupancy by this time of the year, are currently witnessing 15-20% less business
Shailesh Naik, a tour operator from Panaji highlights another side of the problem. “ The problem has a financial angle. GST has driven the prices up, and in case of luxury resorts is as high as 28%, and three or four star hotels pay 18% GST.” But even so, Goa is doing better as compared to some other top destinations in India, says Naik. “Destinations such as Kashmir and Kerala are far worse. We have suspended our tours to these places because of certain problems. Compared to these, Goa is doing extremely well” he says, but admits that the number of tourists might be lower than earlier. Another estimate suggests that the trend of households renting out rooms to tourists is affecting the occupancy rate of hotels.
Even as businessmen connected to the tourism industry present a mixed picture, Managing Director of GTDC, Nikhil Desai asserts that tourism in Goa is booming, despite effects from changing trends in global tourism. “As per our statistics and reports goa is sold out for end December period. If vehicles coming from outside goa is any indication and our roads are clogged with tourist vehicles I don’t see from where this theory is emerging that goa is struggling” says the GTDC MD. “Goa is seeing pressure on room pricing and upward movement of room rates though is a good trend for Govt and locals , this directly affects charter segment as it is price sensitive and higher room rates makes for a charter operators nightmare.This could be one of reasons for decline in number of charters” says Desai.
One development that is affecting tourism in Goa is the re-opening of destinations such as Egypt and Turkey after overcoming their recent troubles. This might have a bearing on the number of chartered flights landing in Goa” says the MD, but the decline of chartered flights is not just limited to Goa, but is a global trend, says Desai. “Chartered flights is declining world over, and FIT ( Free Itinerary Traveller) is the new rising trend.Many hotels are preferring high spending domestic and FIT international tourists rather than giving up their inventory at lower prices for the charters.”
Goans must think whether they want Goa to be a mass or a class destination, and examine ways to encourage sustainable tourism, the director opines, noting that while Goa needs high-ed tourists, there is opposition for infrastructure such as convention centre or golf courses designed to attract such clients. “Similarly, keeping Goa clean is the collective responsibility of all Goans. You cannot just ask the government to do everything.” concludes Desai.
