PANAJI:
Goa is slowly turning into an all-year tourist destination. Five years
ago, tourists kept away during the monsoon - from June to September -
and would wait for October to visit the state. But, the rains are not a
deterrent anymore. The number of tourists that visit the state during
the monsoon is increasing every year, for the last four years. Tourism
department sources say that, this year, the number of visitors during
the months of June, July and August rose by 18% as against tourist
arrivals during corresponding period in 2013.
The state tourism department attributed the rise to the introduction of safety and security measures, awareness created on hinterland, culture, monsoon and pilgrim tourism, through rigorous marketing initiatives. Some such initiatives include domestic and international road shows, exhibitions and international travel agents' FAM trips.
"Rebranding and re-positioning of brand Goa as a land for all seasons and capitalizing on the fact that Goa is the only tourist destination in the world that has the maximum contrasts in the smallest geographical space has attracted more tourists," said director of tourism Ameya Abhyankar.
Savio Messias, vice president of travel and tourism association of Goa (TTAG), stated that Goa has been attracting tourists even during monsoon because it is well marketed as an entertainment spot. While industry stakeholders agree that monsoon tourism has picked up in the last few years, domestic tourists make a beeline to Goa during weekends. If weekends are extended, like experienced in the first week of October, tourist arrivals from neighbouring states and metros increase further.
"Earlier, the bikes I rent out used to remain idle for most part of the rainy season. But, now, during weekends and on holidays, we get good business," says Taresh Naik, who runs a rent-a-bike business in Calangute.
Star hotels too have admitted to a steady rise in business during the rains. Guitry Velho, general manager, Heritage Village Club, claimed to have achieved an 8% rise in business from June to September. "The occupancy during monsoon this year was 65%," said Velho. Marketing of festivals and introducing white water rafting have been two huge successes over the last couple of years for the industry. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/It-didnt-just-rain-it-poured-in-Goa/articleshow/44806862.cms
The state tourism department attributed the rise to the introduction of safety and security measures, awareness created on hinterland, culture, monsoon and pilgrim tourism, through rigorous marketing initiatives. Some such initiatives include domestic and international road shows, exhibitions and international travel agents' FAM trips.
"Rebranding and re-positioning of brand Goa as a land for all seasons and capitalizing on the fact that Goa is the only tourist destination in the world that has the maximum contrasts in the smallest geographical space has attracted more tourists," said director of tourism Ameya Abhyankar.
Savio Messias, vice president of travel and tourism association of Goa (TTAG), stated that Goa has been attracting tourists even during monsoon because it is well marketed as an entertainment spot. While industry stakeholders agree that monsoon tourism has picked up in the last few years, domestic tourists make a beeline to Goa during weekends. If weekends are extended, like experienced in the first week of October, tourist arrivals from neighbouring states and metros increase further.
"Earlier, the bikes I rent out used to remain idle for most part of the rainy season. But, now, during weekends and on holidays, we get good business," says Taresh Naik, who runs a rent-a-bike business in Calangute.
Star hotels too have admitted to a steady rise in business during the rains. Guitry Velho, general manager, Heritage Village Club, claimed to have achieved an 8% rise in business from June to September. "The occupancy during monsoon this year was 65%," said Velho. Marketing of festivals and introducing white water rafting have been two huge successes over the last couple of years for the industry. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/It-didnt-just-rain-it-poured-in-Goa/articleshow/44806862.cms
No comments:
Post a Comment