Shelly has come from abroad to have her first child in Goa. Her decision was deliberate because she believes the medical facilities here are as good as those in her country. Besides, having her child here would mean less trouble whenever she wants to stay longer in India.
She is one of those many foreigners for whom South Goa is the place to live because, “the people are helpful, cooperative and make me feel part of their lives.”
With temperatures rising, foreign tourists and locals are beginning to feel the heat, and consequently, the number of visitors to the beach has started increasing turning smiles into grins among stakeholders along the coastline.
“We have seen an increase in the number of foreign guests seeking homestays, and are optimistic that more will be coming next season because word spreads fast amongst the British,” says Mario, who owns an apartment in South Goa.
“Many of my clients were recommended by friends, who had come at the beginning of the season and, like them, they too have booked slots for themselves for the next season,” admits Mario.
Susan and her friend are in their 60s, and walk to the beach twice a day from the apartment rented from Mario. Along the way, they chat about the day spent shopping in the city, the prices of commodities and about the mementos they will take back home.
“Goa,” feels Susan “has changed. In the north, noise is the main deterrent, and locals are difficult to come across. Goa can be felt in Candolim, but go beyond that and I wonder where I have reached.”
She continues, “The people from South Goa are different from the north, but one thing they all have in common is that all are warm. Goans are determined by warmth so difficult to find in any other part of India.”
Quite a few Russians still opt to stay in South Goa, but according to tourism stakeholders, the noisy ones have shifted to the North. “Though most of my clients are from different countries from Europe, I have Russians, but there have been no complaints this time around,” says a shack owner, Dominic.
The number of people visiting the beaches has increased due to the rise in temperature, with local families, foreigners and domestic tourists all enjoying their dips in the water well after sunset.
“We normally come to the beach in May during the holiday season, but now, with the change in weather, and there being uncertainty when the school holidays will start, we have decided to hit the beach whenever we can,” admitted Celeste.
“When we came in May, it was crowded with people from different villages and a few foreigners or Indians for whom Goa is a second home. But, the crowds these days are amazing. Plenty of foreigners and Indian tourists,” says a surprised Celeste.
The number of people visiting the beaches has increased due to the rise in temperature, with local families, foreigners and domestic tourists all enjoying their dips in the water well after sunset.
With the rise in temperature, children, supervised by eager parents, have taken to the waters.
“It is nice to see the children enjoying themselves. It has been hot the last few days, and, that the kids are enjoying so much is indicative of that,” admits Phillip, as he and wife keep their attention focused on their three kids.
“Our regulars have started coming for dinner, and it feels like summer again. We started the season pessimistically, but I think at the end of the day, it has been a good run for all, especially with a lot of foreigners coming through TUI Airways,” a shack owner said.
TUI is a charter operator that primarily handles guests from the UK who earlier opted to stay in Candolim. But, this season, that has changed with the South beckoning a large number of them.
It is beginning to appear that the 2024-25 season is giving tourism stakeholders a whiff of what the industry was like prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. And, those memories are leaving them aspiring for more.
It is not a story of old wine in a new bottle, but old wine sold in bottle made of different glass!