The heat is on; domestic tourists are crowding Goa and along with locals, are plunging into the waters of the Arabian Sea to cool off.
“The number of people going for a swim has increased tremendously during the last few days, and so too, the number of people our lifesavers have to keep an eye on. We have deployed more equipment and people,” says Varun, associated with Drishti, the lifesaving services agency.
But, from amongst the scores of visitors to the beach this late in the month of March, foreign tourists cannot be ignored.
“There are days when hardly anyone can be seen on the beach and days when the beach is full. Sometimes, there are just a few of us swimming and at other times there is a sea of humanity taking a dip,” says Anastasia from Europe, whose holiday is coming to an end.
“I had a beautiful time and am sure that I will return. The people of this place are the best I have met. They made me feel like I was at home. I had no problem at any time. I am taking back beautiful memories of this place,” says Anastasia, as she buys handicrafts to take back home.
The increase in the number of tourists on the beaches is leading to other issues. Whilst Calangute and Colva – the two main beaches – are hubs of activity, with even parking starting to be a problem, other beaches have started to feel the toll of visitors.
“I had to take a full circle twice just to find a place to park my vehicle and now have to walk quite a distance with my elderly mother to the beach,” confesses Hiren from North India, who has settled in the hinterland of Goa.
Finding parking space has always been a problem in the month of December, and the continuous surge of tourists, with many now opting to visit Goa with their own vehicles, is exposing the lack of parking facilities around the tourism belt.
If parking is a problem for visitors, business is brisk for shack owners who usually see a slump form March onwards. Most shacks and retail alcohol outlets along the coast are also serving more customers than expected.
If parking is a problem for visitors, business is brisk for shack owners who usually see a slump form March onwards. Most shacks and retail alcohol outlets along the coast are also serving more customers than expected.
“Business has been on a swing this season. We have had days where there are no covers left, and days when we have had to kill flies. But overall, there is no reason to complain,” confesses Andrew, who runs a shack on the Southern coastal belt.
“Looking at the flow, sometimes I feel the government should allow us to run our shacks until at least the middle of May because, going by the flow of tourists, I think visitors to the beach are going to continue until the end of May,” he feels.
Water sports operators along the coast are seeing an increase in interest, with local tourists enjoying the thrills of boat rides along the coast. A number of tourists can also be seen parasailing and skiing.
“There has been a spurt of customers after a slight fall during the time when the accident happened. We have families keen on boat rides and individuals opting for jet skiing,” admits watersports operator, Xavier.
With the start of charters from Iran and English tourists still keeping the window of returning to Goa in April open, stakeholders are keeping their fingers crossed hoping that the best is yet to come.