Goa is now becoming a hot destination for the beach lovers for the arrival of monsoon. Here, the monsoon tourism is flourishing for the scenic charms in and around Goa.
During the rain times, Goa turned into a place of booming in tourism and hospitality industry. Monsoons are traditionally drooping season for hotels and restaurants. But ground level check reveals that for most stakeholders it is business as usual during the ongoing rainy months.
When the weather was inclement in early July several hotels in city and beach areas witnessed the surge in occupancy.
The tourists from the neighbouring states like Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra visit most. They visit the churches, beaches, Old Goa, Panjim and the regular holiday spots with enthusiasm and were not a bit put off by the damp weather. A snapshot of arrivals showed that the families and honeymooners were the main visitors during the monsoon times.
The gamesters also arrived in robust numbers for rainy holidays, covering most of the dormitories and the den. The off-shore casinos received their regular customers which show that rains did not discourage casino tourism.
This year, monsoon tourism is making a stable and steady development. Though it is a off season, this time, the accumulation of tourists received the higher number than the peak season.
In coming years, it is expected that Goa will see itself as a 365 holiday destination in India. The efforts of the tourism department to market Goa as a 365-day holiday destination is bearing fruit.
Tapas De, the General Manager of the Fidalgo Hotel of Panjim, says that, the perception of tourism is changing. He adds that, Goa is now becoming a preferable place of all times of the year.
The hotel owners said that there is a massive improvement in monsoon tourism. The monsoon packages are customised with free buffet meals, spa and meal credits thrown in for the visitors.
According to hotels owners, the prospect of monsoon tourism over the years has improved. And to keep the enthusiasm going they are offering sizable discounts.
Monsoon packages are customized with free buffet meals, spa and meal credits thrown in. Some hotels offer free pick-up and drop to and from the airport.
The entertainment programmes near the faded due to heavy rains. So that, there is an ebb in the night life of Goa.
The tourism department of Goa is also giving the strength on the exploration of the hinterland locations, wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls, spice plantations, festivals, adventure and yoga, ayurveda and spa. The endeavour of the State Government is to budge the focus from coastal areas to activities such as treks, local festivals and the exploration of the local cuisines.
The charms of monsoon are considerable. From rain soaked fields, rivers and gushing waterfalls- all make Goa an extremely beautiful to the outsider.
The tourist arrivals during the rainy months of June-August are steadily increasing. In 2012, there are about 2.8 lakhs tourists visited during the three months of rains months compared to 9.4 lakhs tourists in 2016.
The arrivals in monsoons are currently comprised to 15 per cent of the annual arrivals. There is a development over 2012, when they comprised 10 per cent of the year’s tourists. The monsoon tourism lures only the domestic tourist, but the winter months are mostly concentrated with the foreigners.
