PANAJI
With the Lok Sabha polling in Goa slated in the midst of the school summer break on May 7, stakeholders foresee a ‘minimal’ impact on the tourism industry.
The period from April to June often witnesses a spike in leisure activities as it aligns with the annual summer vacation. With this, it brings in a huge tourist influx to Goa notwithstanding the humidity.
Now as the world’s largest democratic festival starts on April 19, the domestic tourist movement will see a drop -- a trend experienced in the past Parliamentary and General Assembly elections too.
Nonetheless, stakeholders are optimistic about the business citing minimal impact.
“People usually travel less during the election days, and this will be across the States. But since it is a spread out election spanning over a month-and-a-half, the impact on Goa should be less,” President of the Travel and Tourism Industry Nilesh Shah said speaking to the Goan.
While Goa may have been fortunate in terms of its election schedule, another popular tourist destination, Himachal Pradesh, is in the seventh phase of the polls on June 1. The hilly state’s stakeholders have appealed to the Election Commission of India to reconsider this date, arguing that holding elections in June could have a detrimental effect on their tourism industry.
In Goa, the hospitality sector finds that the timing of the polling day is balanced, unlike HP and possibly a few other places where to and fro travelling could face an impact.
“We won't be largely affected as it coincides with the closure of the charter season, and domestic tourist arrivals in Goa continue steadily throughout the year. Occupancy rates are healthy, and any restrictions on eateries and liquor will be limited to polling and counting days,” a starred hotel official, revealed.
President of the Goa Hotels & Restaurant Association, Gaurish Dhond, agrees with the views, affirming that business operations will continue as usual. However, he added that establishments like restaurants, hotels, and petrol pumps among other commercial places have refrained from displaying posters or banners endorsing politicians or political parties all through this election period.
“Business restrictions will solely be enforced during voting and counting days, so there is nothing to worry about. People nowadays are sufficiently wise to schedule their holidays accordingly. Those inclined to travel will do so, especially given the convenience of online booking for tickets and accommodations,” he added, further elaborating that there’s a noticeable consciousness among the public with a considerable percentage generally avoiding travel during voting days.
Hotels, Dhond revealed, are recording a robust occupancy rate ranging between 80-90 percent, with various events like B2B meetings and weddings contributing to the bustling activity.
President of Shack Owners Welfare Society, Cruz Cardozo also stated that the ‘impact will be far less’ despite the democratic festival underway starting with the election code.
“The charter season is already teetering on the brink of premature closure. Unfortunately, this time Indian tourists were less because of several problems like illegal touts. As far as election dates are concerned, a lot of people will stay back and travel on the other days,” he added.
