Long weekends lead to chaotic traffic in coastal areas but not many tourism stakeholders have reason to smile, for the tourists that trickle in may help increase the number of footfalls but not necessarily the economy.
“There will always be a rush of tourists either driving down to Goa in their own vehicles or coming by buses but these tourists are the ones looking out for the 100-rupee biryani,” claims a travel agent on condition of anonymity.
It took me 45 minutes to cover a distance of two kilometres because some tourist parked his vehicle on the wrong side and disappeared for a while. Sometimes, they just do not care about others
Hortencio Gomes, Candolim resident
The roads are chaotic during the long weekends leaving locals as well as tourists harassed by traffic jams, with a travel of a few kilometres lasting long minutes along the Candolim-Baga belt.
“It took me 45 minutes to cover a distance of two kilometres because some tourist parked his vehicle on the wrong side and disappeared for a while. Sometimes, they just do not care about others,” admitted Hortencio Gomes from Candolim.
Chaat shops, roadside vendors selling fast food are in huge demand during the long breaks and the long weekend just ended was an example of the chaos on the roads along the coast.
Travel agents based in Goa also do not feel the ripple effect of tourism related activity during the long weekends as most tourists prefer to book flights and hotels directly.
“It is much cheaper for guests to strike a deal with hotels directly because they get better deals. Despite getting rooms on five per cent commission, we need to pay five per cent GST thus taking the price up,” reasons an agent and adds, “A guest will get the same room cheaper if he books directly.”
Ambedkar Jayanti was one long weekend that saw traffic on the wrong side of the road with North Goa witnessing a high number of guests coming in on Friday and staying on till Monday.
“Our bookings do increase during the long weekend and since our guests come for only a few days, they tend to rush through as many activities possible in a short time. Things tend to get a bit pushy at times,” says Amit who works for a resort along the coast.
“Traffic,” according to Amit gets to be a problem because, “a lot of guests prefer to drive from neighbouring states. But there is a calm after the storm.”
“Guests that do come in during the long holidays tend to benefit from the retail and wholesale liquor marts and eateries that sell meals for around Rs 100 or so,” a restaurant owner from Calangute said.
Dormitories or hotels that allow three guests or more in one room also do well at such times. “There are various ways of making money but how one chooses depends on individuals,” admits Rohan who now runs a dormitory in Mapusa.
The risk element is high when going out for a sunset stroll because of the number of men and no physical presence of local police on the beach
Supriya
Extended weekends is the time when the beaches see a large number of stags walking on the beach with alcohol bottles in hand making discerning guests feel uncomfortable.
“The risk element is high when going out for a sunset stroll because of the number of men and no physical presence of local police on the beach,” says Supriya, who spent the weekend in Goa.
Though the local travel agents may feel left out during the long breaks, the industry on the whole is on a song and that is what matters most to those on the tourism bubble.