Conversations with tourism stakeholders in South Goa led to an interesting reason for the decrease in footfalls in hotels and hotspot restaurants — the Indian Professional league (IPL).
This trend, of a drop in occupancy, and visitors to restaurants, occurs because, according to observers, Indians are fascinated with cricket, and when the IPL starts, people opt to stay back and watch the matches live.
“I do agree that there is a slight dip in clients when the IPL starts, but am not really able to pin point as to why,” claims Pobre Pereira, one of the partners of Martin’s Corner, in Betalbatim.
“Like how we watch the football World Cup in Goa, I suppose they have their own way of watching the IPL. We do see a slight drop in customer flow during the IPL, both in our restaurant and hotel,” Pereira admits.
Like how we watch the football World Cup in Goa, I suppose they have their own way of watching the IPL. We do see a slight drop in customer flow during the IPL, both in our restaurant and hotel.Pobre Pereira, Partner, Martins Corner, Betalbatim
And, when the going is easy, there are many in the industry who capitalise on the free time to experiment, invent and prepare unique concoctions to serve at their establishments.
One such is Valentino Pinto, who manages the bar at Martins Corner. If you happen to visit the restaurant, ask for their Jackfruit Mojito, prepared with of course jackfruit, as the name suggests, a seasonal fruit in Goa, sweet but known to be the best recipe to keep diabetes away.
Pinto is one of those Goan lads whose smile reveals that you are meeting a passionate local determined to go miles. The Jackfruit Mojito — it would be unfair to share his recipe — is plucky. And, if you are the type to prefers a mocktail over a cocktail, he will gladly prepare it.
“I like to try and observe the guests' reaction. I do not serve the guest before my bosses taste and pass my concoctions, which they normally do instantly,” he says, a grin on his face.
Pinto thinks that working at Martin’s gives him an advantage because of the diverse clientele who visit the place. “There are times when guests suggest and ask me what the cocktail will end up tasting like, and that’s when I get another chance to experiment,” he adds.
The unseasonal rain has not affected the flow of customers from the country to the south (of Goa) as business on this belt largely depends on regulars and second-home owners who come here every month or two.
Goa, according to stakeholders, is the second home to retired judges of the supreme court, IAS, IFS, IRS and IPS officers. “When one comes to the village, a whole lot will follow him and that’s how the concentration forms,” said a stakeholder on condition of anonymity.
High-end Indian clients have moved in numbers to the south and the shift is seeing movement in the flow of tourist traffic. However, here, the visitors are keeping the economy swirling, which keeps widening the grin on the face of stakeholders.