A one-way ticket from Goa to Bombay on Thursday, December 26, 2024, was priced at Rs 8,000 and the ticket on January 1, 2025, is selling at approximately Rs 21,000. It is this unrealistic pricing of flight tickets that tourism stakeholders claim is one reason why tourist footfall has been low this season. And, going by the trend, it could not get better if this remains ignored.
SKYROCKETING FLIGHT TICKETS
“Tourism,” according to Orlando Nunes, General Manager of Trail Blazers India, “is taking a dip this season because of two reasons: high prices of tickets and expensive hotel rooms.”
Nunes, who is one of those who knows the pulse of the business, adds, “People who have to travel will travel, but it is not so with people who have a choice. With other destinations offering better facilities, Goa stands to be the second choice instead of first.”
One general observation is the price of tickets which seem outrageous to a few regular travellers.
EXPENSIVE HOTELS
The relatively empty shacks, restaurants, and few people on the beach and in markets has left many struggling to understand the slow flow of tourists at a time when Goa had prepared well ahead for the season.
“We arrived on December 5 and it was very quiet, but we thought it would get busier nearer Christmas. It just hasn’t. It is probably due to airlines and hotels raising prices. Hopefully, it will be nice and busy for shacks from January to March,” hopes Maggie Lucas, a tourist.
UNCONTROLLED PRICING
One general observation is the price of tickets which seem outrageous to a few regular travellers. As Shaun Callaghan says, “I was looking at flights for most of the year, as because of work I can go only around this time of the year, and the prices have become outrageous. So, I didn’t bother going. Maybe others have thought the same.”
"It is unfortunate that the government is allowing the airlines to squeeze customers. We expected the government to intervene because the increase in prices is not linked to rise in petrol or any taxes. It’s just fanciful,” believes Nunes.
If tourists from the country are feeling the pinch, those from abroad are not far behind.
MORE ALTERNATIVES
“I went to Thailand paying Rs 12,000 return, whilst a one-way ticket to Goa costs around the same at this time of the year. It doesn’t make sense. The other places are so open to tourists. Goa was, but is no more,” reasons Avishek from North India.
If tourists from the country are feeling the pinch, those from abroad are not far behind. Though, sometimes luck seems to throw its hand if one goes by German Harrison’s story: “We had a holiday booked this Xmas, but TUI cancelled the flights and the new dates they offered (Mon or Thurs) were no good for school dates, so we had to go somewhere else.”
That rooms are easily available at this time of the year is, to many, an indicator that pricing in Goa vis-a-vis other countries could be one reason why many are opting to fly abroad.
It is not just the stakeholders who are wondering at the drop in arrivals but regular tourists too.
Jane Stock, a regular to Goa, writes: “Where are all the people. It is so quiet. We are going to restaurants and they are virtually empty. Went to Grills and Curries last night, 6 tables occupied. Went to Harmony Bistro tonight, only 20 people eating. Ruffles last night had about 10 people outside at 9 pm. They are all asking why aren’t the English coming? We have never seen it so quiet.”
Stakeholders were riding on the hope of a turnaround in December. The month is almost at its end along with the year, but that hope has not faded. That’s tourism in Goa.
