In damp Goa monsoon, some warm cheer for tourism

As the skyline turns gloomy with rain clouds waiting to burst, the good news for tourism stakeholders in Goa is that the off-season is bringing a group of foreign tourists to Goa in August.

The number of guests is not big, but enough to draw smiles as the guests from Portugal will be on a two-night cultural visit to Goa, visiting churches, temples, and experiencing local food, dance and music.

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“There is no visit to a beachindexed to their schedule because there is nothing to see or do on the beaches during the rains. These tourists come to see places, taste our food and watch some cultural programmes,” detailed a member of the tour operator handling the Portuguese guests.

Though the rains may have dampened the spirit of domestic tourists, according to sources, the monsoons have brought many of those who have made Goa a second home, to discover it in the rains.

GO WITH THE FLOW: Many stakeholders are unfazed by the low footfalls in the monsoon season.

The flow of foreign tourists, claims a member of a travel agency, picks up in November, though it normally starts in October. “The season has picked up after the COVID-19 pandemic, but is yet to reach pre-pandemic levels. It will take some more time,” believes the operator.

The Department of Tourism, in its effort to make Goa an all-year tourist destination, has been trying to promote various monsoon festivals. But, many in the industry believe it does not help in keeping the wheels of the industry turning a profit.

These Goa beaches offer peaceful solitude in the monsoon

“Selling Goa as a destination to come and enjoy Sao Joao or other festivals during the rains does little in terms of increasing room occupancy. People have come to Goa in the rains before, and have realised that there is little they can do except maybe get wet,” says Andrew, who manages a hotel in South Goa.

A drop in room prices, however, boosts room bookings with many opting to visit Goa on weekends, especially the long one. “We sell rooms at half the season price with the same services, and that is why our travel agents manage to sell rooms to Indian guests,” admits Andrew.

This is the time of the year, according to a majority in the industry, when newlywed Indian couples love to visit Goa.

This is the time of the year, according to a majority in the industry, when newlywed Indian couples love to visit Goa. “Goa is well sold as a honeymoon place during the monsoons,and hence the large number of couples visiting during the rains,” admits Ida, a travel agent in the north.

As tourism stakeholders in Goa keep thinking of ways to increase footfalls in the rains, foreign tourists have started discussing and sharing travel plans for the coming season on social media related to Goa tourism.

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“How good, or bad, is Air India from London to Mumbai? I have been looking to travel this coming winter and there are some really favourable prices,” writes Andrew. “We flew Heathrow to Delhi with them this season, very pleasantly surprised after all the bad press they get. Would use them again,” was one of the responses to his query.

Apart from the government, most trade hands do not appear too worried about the flow of touristsduring the monsoons because the scene has always been static.

As suggested by many, the course of the flow should not be changed for a few rupees more. Patience has paid before.