PANAJI: After long the state has begun witnessing an increased momentum in tourist footfalls despite a curfew continuing to be in place. However, not all hotels have opened for business and the 1,200 to 1,300 that have commenced operations have so far seen an occupancy of 50% to 70%.
Bars and clubs see crowds over the weekend with a mix of locals and tourists.
With curfew norms yet to be relaxed for tourist-related entertainment activities, the increased inflow of tourists has been surprising. A hotelier in North Goa, who did not wish to be named, said that pubs and restaurants operate till late into the night with tacit understanding with the authorities.
“You can’t help it. We need to survive while tourists want a place to unwind. Besides visiting beaches, there is nothing much for them to do,” the hotelier said.
President of the trade body, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), Nilesh Shah said that hotels are witnessing a healthy occupancy now as compared to the below 10% seen in the previous two months.
“We will see a further rise in footfalls this month as there are several holidays. Most starred hotels have begun their operations, but there is no chance that small and medium scale hotels will open until charters start,” Shah told TOI.
He said that with the pace of vaccination expanding, not just in Goa, but in other states as well, more people will now feel confident to travel.
Vincent Ramos, area director for the Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), Goa, and general manager at the Taj Resort and Convention Centre, Goa, said their hotels have been performing phenomenally well.
“The overwhelming response in bookings received from our patrons has been very encouraging with the highest inventory of over 1,500 rooms in the state offered across a spectrum of brands. This has helped us to stay ahead of the race,” Ramos told TOI.
Their recently launched ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ campaign on India’s 75th Independence Day, he said, is aimed at further boosting business across their hotels.
Shah said that though currently all activities are closed in Goa, tourists are still coming as everybody wants a break from staying at home and working from home. “People want a change of environment and scenery. They are also visiting Goa because it offers a better safety net than other states. They are coming here to just relax and chill. Our cases are dropping. Hotels are taking measures and following Covid protocols,” he said.
Police personnel at a check post in North Goa said that most of the people entering the state are tourists and that their numbers go up during the weekends.
