Panaji: Compared to May 2022, the number of travelers remained low this month, while the overall occupancy for all categories of hotels and other accommodation was between 70% to 80%.
Nilesh ShahPresident Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, said that the drop is not much. He said that domestic travelers have a completely expanded choice of destinations after the pandemic.
“With Goa getting hotter, tourists would have preferred destinations in north India, and many would have opted for foreign destinations fearing the end of the pandemic,” Shah told TOI.
Last year, Shah said, Goa benefited a lot as Indians chose Goa, with many destinations not opening up fully. In fact, during the pandemic, Goa saw an influx of Indians.
In May 2022, most hotels registered an occupancy of over 80% and many touched 100%.
“But commuters are spoiled for choice,” he said.
A hotelier said that the occupancy decreased in the first half of the month but increased to 80% in the second half. Over the weekend, most of the starred hotels did brisk business.
One of the reasons for the decline in the number of domestic travelers to Goa could be the increase in air fares.
“Air fares have increased further after GoFirst airline stopped operations,” he said.
Over the years, domestic flow has become the mainstay of Goa’s tourism industry. When foreign tourist arrivals subside by March-April, domestic tourists stay in shanties and industries continue to function during the rains. The business drops to 50-60% during weekdays and goes up on weekends.
Despite it being May – the official holiday season – when Goa’s beaches are crowded with domestic tourists, the drop in numbers has caused many beaches to close two weeks before the official closing date of 31 May.
Meanwhile, the Goa Shack Owners’ Welfare Society asked the government how their members would destroy the sealed shanties within the stipulated time, while the Goa State Pollution Control Board has not de-sealed them.
Nilesh ShahPresident Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, said that the drop is not much. He said that domestic travelers have a completely expanded choice of destinations after the pandemic.
“With Goa getting hotter, tourists would have preferred destinations in north India, and many would have opted for foreign destinations fearing the end of the pandemic,” Shah told TOI.
Last year, Shah said, Goa benefited a lot as Indians chose Goa, with many destinations not opening up fully. In fact, during the pandemic, Goa saw an influx of Indians.
In May 2022, most hotels registered an occupancy of over 80% and many touched 100%.
“But commuters are spoiled for choice,” he said.
A hotelier said that the occupancy decreased in the first half of the month but increased to 80% in the second half. Over the weekend, most of the starred hotels did brisk business.
One of the reasons for the decline in the number of domestic travelers to Goa could be the increase in air fares.
“Air fares have increased further after GoFirst airline stopped operations,” he said.
Over the years, domestic flow has become the mainstay of Goa’s tourism industry. When foreign tourist arrivals subside by March-April, domestic tourists stay in shanties and industries continue to function during the rains. The business drops to 50-60% during weekdays and goes up on weekends.
Despite it being May – the official holiday season – when Goa’s beaches are crowded with domestic tourists, the drop in numbers has caused many beaches to close two weeks before the official closing date of 31 May.
Meanwhile, the Goa Shack Owners’ Welfare Society asked the government how their members would destroy the sealed shanties within the stipulated time, while the Goa State Pollution Control Board has not de-sealed them.