PANAJI
The month of October typically signals the beginning of the tourism season. However, there were certain concerns before the beginning of October this year, as landing slots were not allotted to many charter flights.
As soon as that issue got sorted, the two long weekends - October 2nd weekend and the weekend after Diwali - brought domestic tourists in huge numbers.
Polly D' Cruz, general manager, The Golden Crown Hotel & Spa in Colva, said, "We deal mostly with Indian and Russian tourists. The
The month of October typically signals the beginning of the tourism season. However, there were certain concerns before the beginning of October this year, as landing slots were not allotted to many charter flights.
As soon as that issue got sorted, the two long weekends - October 2nd weekend and the weekend after Diwali - brought domestic tourists in huge numbers.
Polly D' Cruz, general manager, The Golden Crown Hotel & Spa in Colva, said, "We deal mostly with Indian and Russian tourists. The
month of October has been good for us, as we are averaging 90-95% occupancy on all days, weekends and weekdays included."
D'Cruz continued, "Our Indian clientele comes mostly from North India and they came to Goa in large numbers post Diwali thereby giving good occupancy to us. Moreover, charters from Russia have already started coming for the season. So, we have got Russian guests as well."
Although, Russian tourists have already arrived in Goa; but most foreign travellers will start visiting the state from November onwards. Therefore, the peak of the season will happen sometime in November or December.
Meanwhile, tourists from various parts of India are already coming to Goa in October itself.
Bhushan Bordekar, general manager, Windsor Bay in Calangute, said, "Gujarat had its New Year on October 20. After that, a lot of Gujarati businessmen take 10-15 days break from their work and travel. That's the reason a lot of tourists are visiting Goa. In fact, even in other parts, like Kolhapur, people take 15 days break and travel around this time.
Bordekar continued, "Due to these factors, we were sold out on previous weekend. We did good business even on October 2 weekend."
The tourists could be seen, especially in hotspots like Baga, Calangute, Colva, Chogm Road, in buses, cars or on two-wheelers.
Shivam Verma, general manager, Royal Orchid Beach Resort & Spa at Utorda, said, "Lots of domestic tourists from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore stayed at our property this month. For people in North India, Diwali was on a Thursday. They took Friday off to make it a four day weekend, alongwith Saturday and Sunday. Moreover, children have their school holidays. So, this is best time to travel."
D'Cruz continued, "Our Indian clientele comes mostly from North India and they came to Goa in large numbers post Diwali thereby giving good occupancy to us. Moreover, charters from Russia have already started coming for the season. So, we have got Russian guests as well."
Although, Russian tourists have already arrived in Goa; but most foreign travellers will start visiting the state from November onwards. Therefore, the peak of the season will happen sometime in November or December.
Meanwhile, tourists from various parts of India are already coming to Goa in October itself.
Bhushan Bordekar, general manager, Windsor Bay in Calangute, said, "Gujarat had its New Year on October 20. After that, a lot of Gujarati businessmen take 10-15 days break from their work and travel. That's the reason a lot of tourists are visiting Goa. In fact, even in other parts, like Kolhapur, people take 15 days break and travel around this time.
Bordekar continued, "Due to these factors, we were sold out on previous weekend. We did good business even on October 2 weekend."
The tourists could be seen, especially in hotspots like Baga, Calangute, Colva, Chogm Road, in buses, cars or on two-wheelers.
Shivam Verma, general manager, Royal Orchid Beach Resort & Spa at Utorda, said, "Lots of domestic tourists from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore stayed at our property this month. For people in North India, Diwali was on a Thursday. They took Friday off to make it a four day weekend, alongwith Saturday and Sunday. Moreover, children have their school holidays. So, this is best time to travel."
