CANACONA
Palolem beach is usually filled with tourist and the streets are clogged with vehicles especially on the eve of New Year, but tourism stakeholders were shocked with the trickle of tourists at the famed coast on Tuesday.
“This has been the worst New Year’s eve in living memory at Palolem beach road as there were hardly any people on the beach or vehicles on the beach road. We have never witnessed such alarm and concern among those involved in tourism activities,” said Palolem tourism stakeholder and social worker, Socky Da Silva.
Some tourism stakeholders have blamed authorities for not improving facilities for tourists and providing better parking facilities at Palolem beach.
According to sources, many resorts and room operators, who have had little or no business or bookings, have rented their resorts at heavily discounted rates, when this is the time that stakeholders are known to encash on the rush of visitors on the eve of New Year.
A foreign visitor was equally surprised with the low room rates at Palolem beach.
“We never anticipated that rooms would be available at such cheap rates especially during Christmas week, the eve of New Year and the entire first week,” said the foreign tourst.
“I got a most modern room with a lovely balcony room for just Rs 1,000 a day, which were otherwise quoted at Rs 6,000-8,000. There seems to be no takers and so we got rooms for a fortnight at a very cheap rate.”
What also shocked the tourism stakeholders is the very little movement of people on the beach.
“Very few people were just coming and leaving the beach. The busiest Palolem beach road, which is otherwise abuzz with people at shops, stalls and restaurants, was unusually quiet on Tuesday evening, the eve of New Year,” lamented a source.
Tourism stakeholders hope that more foreigners will be seen in the days to come.
