The ripple effect of tourism is being felt in villages in the extreme north and south of Goa with locals who rent rooms starting to rake in the financial benefits of the 2024-2025 season.
At her kiosk at Junaswada in Mandrem, Laximi is all smiles as she helps her client select flowers. Deal done, she sprays the rest and gleefully mutters, “It looks like the season is going to be good.”
Apart from selling flowers, Laximi admits that three of her rooms, located near her house up the hill, have been taken up for three months. She is one of the many who lives in the interiors of Mandrem.
“Foreign and Indian tourists who stay long prefer to stay away from the beach. I charge Rs 6000 per room for a month. They also come to the market and shop,” she admits.
The same smile is reflected at Ashvem, where Paul Britto says, “Today is the first day that all my 30 bikes have gone out on rent and my rooms are occupied. Most of the rooms in the village have been given to Indians employed at various outlets run by outsiders. Though the rent is a little low, they stay for the entire year and that makes up for it.”
Cafés from Anjuna have set up shop in Mandrem and can be seeing drawing Russian and Indians in big numbers. “We have a set of clients that follow us wherever we are,” says Arun as he serves tables at a café.
Beach Street in Junaswadda is busy in the evening with Russian and Indian clients seeking directions to new restaurants, and locals can be seen splashing water on the roads to settle down the dust.
“There is a sudden surge of traffic because of the new restaurants and high-end handicraft shops set up. Apart from Russians, we have not got tourists from other countries so far. Hopefully, they will start coming closer to Christmas,” hopes Adrian from Ashvem.
As in Canacona in South Goa, Pernem is becoming home to many Indians who have decided to set up base offering tourism-related activities.
As in Canacona in South Goa, Pernem is becoming home to many Indians who have decided to set up base offering tourism-related activities. “My startup offers guide services, organises taxis and ticketing for tours around India,” says Vinita from Mumbai, who is now living in Mandrem.
“There are clients who are keen on nature hikes and seeing parts of India on a budget, and that’s where I come in. I am a one-woman business. I also recommend places to go and eat,” says Vinita as she prepares to leave on her bike to seek new clients.
Vinita’s modus operandi is simple – she takes a stroll on the beach, gauges people, throws in a “Hi”, and starts a conversation based on the response. Her business starts then.
“Ashvem and Junaswadda are two small wards in close proximity to the beach. The action is normally around Arambol. Apart from yoga, there are different healing sessions like mud baths and dancing organised there,” offers Vinita.
With the arrival of tourists, there are many who prefer to hire bikes. Therefore, traffic has increased, and at certain times, parking near a beach entrance becomes a problem.
“But,” as Assis says, “there is nothing like walking a little to reach one’s destination. Walking is part of being healthy,” he asserts positively.
As one crosses Siolim and nears the Chopdem junction, signboards of party hotspots are visible with most advertising venues in Anjuna and Vagator.
“There are a few places that play music in the evening in Arambol, but they are not as loud as in Vagator or Anjuna. Music of the tantric genre is normally played, though there are some places that play techno,” confesses Elvis.
The village and locals living in the extreme north seem geared up to dip and dance to the last month of the year – which is the best time for tourism stakeholders in the State.