Chasing the rains: Goa a hit as monsoon destination

After over a decade of promoting Goa in the monsoons, the state’s tourism department hit pay dirt this year with hotels in many parts of the state reporting full occupancy.

After over a decade of promoting Goa in the monsoons, the state’s tourism department hit pay dirt this year with hotels in many parts of the state reporting full occupancy.

According to sources, many hotels are open for business this year while earlier they used to shut shop and carry out renovation work during the monsoons.

Hoteliers especially those in the Baga, Calangute and Candolim belt say they are now under pressure to keep the casinos open for local tourists. Recently, the San Joao Festival was organised to celebrate the rains in which large number of domestic tourists turned up.

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The Tourism Department is now focusing on such festivities to target families. Pamela Mascarenhas, deputy Director of Tourism, said that virtually all the hotels in the state are engaged in some programmes during the rains.

The hotels provide discounts, tie up with airlines and organise events, as a result tourists flow is certain, she said.

Monsoon see at least 25 per cent discounts by airlines as well as by hotels.

Now star hotels give rooms for as cheap as Rs 800 per person and Rs 1,500 per couple. These packages have become popular among newlyweds, couples with bigger children and for conferences.

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Most medical-related, pharmaceuticals and garments conferences are slated to be held in Goa.

Chandrakant Sangwar, vice-president of Majorda Beach Resorts, said that they started the monsoon packages about 10 years ago and most hotels in South Goa are following the trend.

‘‘In fact South Goa hotels are more professional as they run round the clock and entertain their clients so as a result tourists prefer the South Goa,’’ he said.

It is said that most of the hotels, pubs, casinos and discos closed during the monsoon in North Goa thus giving an impression that they cater to foreign tourists only. ‘‘We have seen to it that we give the best of our services to domestic tourists … as a result even when we stopped discounts people came to our hotel including our local clients,’’ he commented.

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Sangwar said that poor transport facilities and weak bridges are problems in Goa. ‘‘This monsoon there is a major setback because the Zuari bridge connecting North and South Goa has been shut down. Taxis charge double and there is no government control over them, no meters,’’ he added.

Hotels in Goa are also scheduling conferences and bookings for corporate houses which are generally frowned upon during the peak season.