COLVA: Over the past few weeks, hordes of domestic visitors have been driving up the numbers in a tourist season that has been rather subdued due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While this trend could be encouraging for tourism, stakeholders point out that a mix of both desi and foreign visitors is needed to keep the wheels of the sector moving.
With international flights yet to commence, foreign visitors were unable to land in Goa this year. And in the absence of charter arrivals, stakeholders are quick to point out the difference.
Desi tourists enjoying New Year at Benaulim shack.
Cruz Cardozo, president of the Shack Owners’ Welfare Society, said that there is a flipside to having a domestic tourist-centric industry in Goa. “Just 30% of domestic tourists are heavy spenders, while another 30% are not so lavish. The rest come to Goa for the liquor which is comparatively cheaper than in their home state. There are also those who come with their rations and cook their own meals by the roadside,” said Cardozo.
Hordes of Desi tourists at Colva beach on New Year's day
He said that hotels have attracted domestic tourists by offering packages inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner. In such a scenario, shacks and restaurants don’t benefit much from such tourists, Cardozo said.
Edwin Baretto, who operates a 40-room hotel in Cavelossim, said that he does not see how domestic tourists can sustain tourism in Goa. “Domestic tourists book rooms either over the weekend or for three nights, while charter clientele visit Goa for 3-7 months,” he said.
However, the effect of domestic tourist footfalls cannot be ignored. A quick survey indicates that starred and medium-sized hotels have been filled to capacity, while shacks along the Salcete coastal belt have been doing brisk business. Rent-a-car and bike operators have also been busy, while sales in provisional stores and wholesale alcohol outlets are unprecedented since tourism activities resumed.
A wholesale liquor store owner pointed out that since October, especially in December, the alcohol sales graph has been on an upward trend. But this is a temporary phase, he added.
A manager of a popular chain of provisional stores along the Salcete coastal belt also shared a similar experience. He said that they registered bumper sales of provisions and liquor during the festive season.
Shack owner Roger Fernandes said feels that tourism can be sustained with domestic visitors. “What foreigners spend in two weeks at a shack, domestic tourists do the same in three days,” he said. However, he emphaised on having foreign tourists as it adds colour to the season and tourism overall.
Travel and Tourism Association of Goa past president Savio Messias said Goa’s tourism needs both domestic and foreign visitors. “The tourism industry has grown so large because of the charters, and hence tourism in Goa cannot be sustained with domestic tourists alone. If Goa does not get foreign visitors, domestic tourists will also decline. The current influx of domestic tourists is for a temporary period, and even though starred hotels are doing well, the smaller ones are still affected.”