PANAJI: Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), which operates 11 residencies, experienced a drop in revenue of Rs 1.8 crore in 2018-2019.
The GTDC hotels’ room occupancy rates dropped by 2% in 2018-19, when compared to 2017-18, for which the corporation blames last year’s low tourist footfalls, heavy monsoon and floods.
GTDC has residencies at Colva, Panaji, Old Goa, Farmagudi, Calangute, Mapusa, Miramar, Margao, Mayem, Vasco and a second annex residency at Calangute.
The percentage occupancy for the period between April and August 2019 recorded a fall at every hotel, except for the Panaji residency. The Panaji residency, which overlooks the Mandovi, was renovated more than three years ago.
The average occupancy at its residencies between April and August 2018, was not even 50 %.
Though most of GTDC’s properties are situated at prime locations, and some are sea-facing, they are mostly old, poorly-maintained and badly-operated, barring a few.
An official said while properties are old, the service is also not on par with similarly placed properties operated by private players.
“The residencies are in beautiful locations and close to the beach, and yet, they are not as profitable as other hotels. Firstly, because the service offered is not good. Also, they are not making a profit as the operating costs remain high, due to the salary component,” the official said.
Standard room tariff, he said, at GTDC residencies, is above Rs 1,000 and the tariff for an air-conditioned room is over Rs 2,000.
“When the staff is sluggish and guests do not get services they expect, there is no way occupancy will be impressive,” he said.
He said the Mapusa residency, despite being centrally-located, close to the bus stand and the famous Mapusa market, and only a few kilometres away from the bustling coastal belt of Calangute and Candolim, it does not enjoy 100% occupancy. “It is an old property, and gives out vibes that it is a shady hotel. I don’t think the property will earn even average business,” he said.
“Blaming it on fewer tourist footfalls or heavy rainfall will not help increase occupancy— GTDC will have to look at innovative ways to improve the quality of their residencies,” he added.
The GTDC hotels’ room occupancy rates dropped by 2% in 2018-19, when compared to 2017-18, for which the corporation blames last year’s low tourist footfalls, heavy monsoon and floods.
GTDC has residencies at Colva, Panaji, Old Goa, Farmagudi, Calangute, Mapusa, Miramar, Margao, Mayem, Vasco and a second annex residency at Calangute.
The percentage occupancy for the period between April and August 2019 recorded a fall at every hotel, except for the Panaji residency. The Panaji residency, which overlooks the Mandovi, was renovated more than three years ago.
The average occupancy at its residencies between April and August 2018, was not even 50 %.
Though most of GTDC’s properties are situated at prime locations, and some are sea-facing, they are mostly old, poorly-maintained and badly-operated, barring a few.
An official said while properties are old, the service is also not on par with similarly placed properties operated by private players.
“The residencies are in beautiful locations and close to the beach, and yet, they are not as profitable as other hotels. Firstly, because the service offered is not good. Also, they are not making a profit as the operating costs remain high, due to the salary component,” the official said.
Standard room tariff, he said, at GTDC residencies, is above Rs 1,000 and the tariff for an air-conditioned room is over Rs 2,000.
“When the staff is sluggish and guests do not get services they expect, there is no way occupancy will be impressive,” he said.
He said the Mapusa residency, despite being centrally-located, close to the bus stand and the famous Mapusa market, and only a few kilometres away from the bustling coastal belt of Calangute and Candolim, it does not enjoy 100% occupancy. “It is an old property, and gives out vibes that it is a shady hotel. I don’t think the property will earn even average business,” he said.
“Blaming it on fewer tourist footfalls or heavy rainfall will not help increase occupancy— GTDC will have to look at innovative ways to improve the quality of their residencies,” he added.
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