Uptake in Bizcations and Workcations

In the heart of Panaji city, the capital of Goa, Fortune Miramar is an ideal destination for the modern-day traveller, offering guests a place to unwind in absolute comfort. With 45 beautifully furnished rooms, a fully equipped boardroom and a selection of dining outlets, the property is located just 200 m from the Miramar Beach and stands close to casinos and churches. The hotel offers excellent connectivity to the airport as well as railway station and provides easy access to other popular tourist attractions. One of the big advantages is the hotel’s close proximity to the Central Business District in Panjim. With an impressive glass facade, Fortune Miramar is a contemporary hotel that offers a wide range of guest services and facilities to the new-age traveller.

At the helm of affairs at Miramar Goa is Ricardo D’lima who as the General Manager ensured during the pandemic that the guests and hotel employees remained safe. “When the guests travel to stay with us, they do so because of the trust they have in the hotel, more specifically the brand. As an attentive team, we have to forever stay conscious and be receptive to their needs, stringently following our round-the-clock safety and hygiene protocols to be able to deliver that perfect experience that meets their expectations. On the employee front, only a happy, healthy and motivated staff member can deliver guest delight and that’s something I have to forever ensure as the captain of the ship,” says D’lima.

Talking about what drives guests to Fortune Miramar, D’lima says, “Goa customer base typically comprises corporate guests, long stayers, leisure and MICE travellers. With work from home and study at home increasing as an outcome of the pandemic, we have seen a shift in our business mix with more long stayers and leisure guests arriving on the weekdays. Project-related stays from manufacturing and pharma industries and government driven infrastructure development is also growing in the state.”

The Fortune Miramar General Manager tells us that the biggest USPs of the hotel are the F&B initiatives that have been redesigned, keeping the pandemic in mind. “Being a leisure destination, we have extended breakfast hours so that our guests do not get hassled to rush down from their room for an early bite. We have customisable meal plans and picnic hampers that the guests can choose from. As the state opens for tourism, the guests can choose from heritage walks and experience a rich Goan Portuguese cuisine in a heritage home,” he shares.

Last year when Goa opened up for tourism, Fortune Miramar witnessed occupancy levels go back to the pre-Covid days with a healthy ADR that helped the hotel deliver a positive bottom line. “The current occupancy is as per the current industry trends. We are, however, confident that the ARR will go back to the pre-Covid days by the financial year end,” says D’lima.

With the number of Covid-19 cases reducing in Goa, there has been an uptake in staycations, bizcations and workcations. The Government of Goa has stated that the tourism activities will be considered after 100 per cent population receives the first vaccination. “This is a step in the right direction and we are confident that it will encourage customers to choose Goa as their preferred destination for remote work stays and holidays. “With the addition of our new state-of-the-art Banquet Enclave, we offer a season-agnostic solution to a customer’s MICE needs. He adds that MICE will be a new market segment for Fortune Miramar Goa as Banquet Enclave spreads over 4,300 sq ft, comprises two modern conference halls and a boardroom with integrated wifi systems, two Ultra HD TVs and a large alfresco area with retracting rooftop. “We have started marketing it to our source markets and local clientele. Needless to say, we are getting a great response,” he puts in.

“As the Goa Government has allowed social, cultural, wedding, meetings and events for up to 50 per cent hall capacity, with the approval of the District Magistrate, we are all eager to capitalise on this benefit. In fact, we are getting routine queries for remote work stays, holidays, weddings and small social events ever since we reopened,” says D’lima.

When questioned as to how the pandemic has changed the revenue equation of rooms, F&B, MICE and weddings at Miramar Goa, he shares that the 45-room contemporary hotel offers a wide range of services to the new-age traveller. “Post-pandemic, we have adapted to take care of the needs of our guests with more work space in rooms, increase in internet bandwidth, laundry services, gourmet in-room dining and a space for children to attend class and exams,” he puts in.

On the F&B front, Miramar Goa’s new initiative, FO.O.D – Fortune on Demand has been well-received, he says, adding, “It offers guests subscription meal plans with choices of Workout Mornings, Midday Madness, Twilight Indulgences, Morn to Nite, One day Trial and WFH – Work from Home. Guests can choose from a one day, weekly, fortnightly or monthly plan offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and healthy menus. We offer free and safe delivery by utilising the hotel valet, vehicles and digital payments. On weekends, we offer a specially curated meal for two.” 

The Fortune Miramar General Manager is confident that the new banqueting facilities at the hotel will increase its F&B contribution. “Our yearly food promotions are the talk of the town and will surely drive non-resident customers to our fold. As we will be soon celebrating our fifth anniversary, we have a line-up of festivities planned beginning December 2021,” informs D’lima.

On how he sees the future of the hospitality market in Goa, the General Manager of Fortune Miramar says that domestic tourism has been driving recovery in India post-pandemic, be it revenge travel, long due family vacays WFHs or short breaks. “The domestic customer that’s helping business bounce back. Goa has been one of the most favoured places to drive away Covid-19 blues and thus has been able to almost maintain performance similar to that in the pre-pandemic times. The state maintains a positive outlook for the months ahead. The key to this will be to portray Goa as a safe and responsible destination and the measures taken by the Government of Goa to achieve this,” he expresses.

Historically, the market has seen healthy foreign tourists arrivals in most months, with in-bound numbers close to negligible. The future of tourism in Goa depends on how international travel opens up. However, for now, domestic leisure tourism’s attention to Goa is likely to help it bounce back faster than most leisure destinations.