The global meltdown is turning on the heat for Goa’s international tourist trade. International travellers are cancelling their scheduled vacations following the meltdown in world financial markets, and the tourism industry in Goa is threatened by a slowdown.
To counter the cancellations, which could reach up to 20 per cent of the bookings, Goa’s tourist trade is offering more attractive rates to tour operators. Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, President Ralph de Sousa said charter rates are now being offered at 15 to 20 per cent lower than those paid by Free-of-Itinerary Travellers (FITs). There are three categories of tourists. FITs pay the highest rates; followed by the Group Independent Travellers (GITs) who get packages at discounted rates, and Charters, who will now pay 15 to 20 per cent less.
CEO of the Alfran Group Charles Bonifacio said that bookings have started late this season as compared to earlier, when packages would get booked up months in advance. Station manager of charter airline Condor Bush Miranda said the full effect of the meltdown would be felt only in December, as bookings for October and November are mostly done in March and April, before the present crisis. But most people book holidays during this period for Christmas in Goa,and if they pull out owing to the recession, the effects will be felt in the high-peak season of mid-December to early January.
In order to tackle the situation, 200 small and medium hotels across the State have signed contracts with tour operators at last year’s rates, on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Kerala tourism, too, is taking a hit, both for international and domestic travellers. Coraz Travels General Manager Paulose P Mathew, a member of IATA, said that in March 2008 the State got 10,922 flights a week, but by September, it came down to 8,788. On Wednesday, Jet Airways grounded seven of its aircraft, resulting in cancellation of 294 more flights a week. Besides, Kingfisher is expected to reduce 100 more flights soon.
The Houseboat Owners’ Association, representing 450 houseboats, is worried. Executive committee member Tommy Pulikkattil said that about 4 lakh tourists patronise houseboats each year, resulting in a gross turnover of about Rs 35 lakh a day. But this year, booking is yet to cross the 2 lakh mark
-Herald
