One-way flight tickets from other cities to Goa are expensive during the weekends, but on weekends with public holidays around the corner – August 15 is a Tuesday – prices are soaring with even a one-way Bombay-Goa ticket costing around Rs 10,000.
“Prices of air tickets on long weekends are exponentially higher than normal weekends. There is absolutely no government control on pricing, and airlines have it merry,” claimed Glynn Silveira, proprietor of Silver Travel and Leisure.
A ticket on the Mumbai-Goa route normally costs around Rs 3,000 but, as mentioned by most airline operatives in Goa, prices escalate on the weekends, even during the monsoons.
A ticket on the Mumbai-Goa route normally costs around Rs 3,000 but, as mentioned by most airline operatives in Goa, prices escalate on the weekends, even during the monsoons.
“I have been trying to get a Bengaluru-Goa ticket for a doctor this coming weekend and could not find one cheaper than Rs 7,000. One-way tickets are expensive but not return tickets,” claimed Franco Noronha.
The cost of a one-way ticket from Delhi to Goa, August 11 onwards, ranged between Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,000 on Wednesday and according to industry experts are bound to cost more as the weekend approaches.
“The trend is for people to leave on Saturday evening and hand around till August 15. Prices will be high until around August 14 and start getting cheaper after that,” stated tour organiser Elgino Roncon.
“With such high prices, it is the normal people, needing to fly to attend emergencies who will have to bear the brunt. People who need to fly to attend to urgent medical emergencies or attend the last rites of their dear ones have to face the brunt of high ticket prices,” admitted Glyn Silveira.
Apart from a rise in occupancy, Goa, and North Goa in particular, is seeing many places organising parties on August 14 and 15. There are flyers of parties going on right through the night.
Vibhur, Artist from Rajasthan
“There is no protection mechanism for them,” he added.
High ticket prices also indicate occupancy for hotels in Goa. “Apart from a rise in occupancy, Goa, and North Goa in particular, is seeing many places organising parties on August 14 and 15. There are flyers of parties going on right through the night,” stated artist Vibhur from Rajasthan.
“Weekend prices are normally high, even if one tries to buy well in advance. This is the period in which airlines try to make the maximum profit on their Goa flights, and prices keep increasing as per the demand. The more the demand, the higher the price, and there is no limit,” informs Glynn.
“It is not just the question of price rise but a matter of availability of tickets. I have been trying to get a ticket for my clients on August 14, and I could get none on the Bengaluru-Goa route. Just imagine – there is not one ticket available,” says Franco.
With foreign tourists opting to choose other countries as their destinations, Goa is adjusting to the idea of making do with tourists from neighbouring states, though the experience is not always good.
