Goa Doesn’t Need to Worry

By Manish Dayya GOA AS a destination has always been doing well. This is one state, which has always seen an upward trend. InitiallyExperts speak this state always saw an upward trend in terms of occupancies, ARRS, RevPARS, year on year the growth was almost 8 to 10 per cent. The correction that happened really only balanced out the occupancies. In the last two or three years, if you see, the occupancies have really not shot up, but they have been stable. Hotels have done 74 per cent occupancies YTD. This is irrespective of switching from being a six month destination only managing charter clients to managing domestic segment to fill up in the off season and now it is a destination which not only caters to leisure travellers but its become a destination which is sought after by the MICE traveller and by wedding and events. To its advantage, Goa is also very well connected. Through airlines, railways and road transport, things have only been getting better. In the last 3-4 years, there has been a hike of 8 to 10 per cent in terms of actual numbers of visitors coming to Goa. So, technically it saw a growth in the last four years starting from 25 lakhs to 30 lakhs. Out of this 30 lakhs, about 5 lakhs is international’the largest number from Russia, UK and then Germany. The international travellers usually come on a small budget, there was a time when Goa was affordable for them, today it is getting a little expensive from the charters point of view, but this shortfall is being filled up really well by the domestic travellers. I think Goa has no competition as a leisure travel destination from within India, the competition is with other international destinations. The spending power is now with the domestic travellers. They are the ones who spend more. They may compromise on the stay aspect, since we like a bargain. You will not see them around in hotels, but moving around and spending on retail as well as most importantly in Goa, the casinos. Today, if you see the casinos, they are almost totally dependent on Indian travellers. If you ask me, last year things were very different because elements like the Russian charter tourists also contributed very well to Goa, this year hotels have seen a dip of almost 12 per cent in their occupancies in terms of the low charter movement, all put together. The rooms opened up for domestic travellers who are used to spending more. ARRs and revPARS did increase.- The average ARRS are much better than they were last year. While they have seen a drop in their occupancies, they have seen an increase in their ADRs of almost 20 per cent. Which means Goa does not really need to worry. Born and brought up in Goa, Manish Dayya, has recently been promoted from GM, Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort and Novotel Goa Shrem Resort to-Area General Manager, Accor Hotels Lavasa and General Manager of Novotel Lavasa.

Also Read

Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on our latest news