The tourist season in Goa officially begins on October 1 but the industry is already wary with indications of a drop of nearly 200 charter flights, compared to last year.
While last year the state received 640 charter flights, this year industry estimates peg the figure at 476 flights, as per the bookings done by the tour operators.
Charter tourists from Europe and Russia form a substantial portion of tourist in-flow to Goa. But with the economic downturn, these numbers had dropped last year. Tourism industry sources feel unless there is a turnaround in the economy in Europe, this year will be even worse.
The first flight carrying British tourists from Manchester is scheduled to arrive on October 4 while the first flight from Russia would arrive on October 9.
Yes, recession has already
Yes, recession has already hit the global tourism industry with low travel bookings and off shore visits and Goa could also bear the brunt from downturn. But this could also mean many european travellers would look or choose for cheaper options to visit then those expensive ones. As for many Goa is a option of cheaper holidaying so Goan tourism can keep its fingers crossed.
Post new comment