Although Goa’s Covid-19 positivity rate has fallen below five per cent, the state’s hospitality industry is yet to get respite. Occupancy in the few hotels that have reopened so far — after the government permitted entry to fully vaccinated business travellers without a Covid-negative report — ranges between seven and 12 per cent only.
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) said occupancy will rise only after the government makes it clear that tourists are welcome to the sunshine state. “Unless a positive message goes around, we will not see a steady flow of tourists. We may see some footfalls in August as there are a few public holidays, but there won’t be a heavy rush,” TTAG president Nilesh Shah, said.
He said the industry is hoping that all travellers be allowed entry on the basis of their vaccination certificates and suggested that those who are not vaccinated be asked to travel with a Covid-negative report or get tested on arrival.
In the previous tourist season, Goa witnessed a steady flow of domestic travellers from October and an exponential rise in December-January. The numbers started falling in March when the deadly second wave of the pandemic began raging across the country.
Shah said that while more starred hotels will begin functioning by mid-August, the smaller hotels will not until there is a clear signal of normalcy returning.
“Even when the season had picked up in November-December last year, not all hotels were operational. Only around 1,400 had resumed business,” he said.
Smaller hotels mushroomed during the decade as the charter tourist inflow swelled. With a break on the arrival of international tourists, these hotels have no takers.
The industry is hoping that the government of India will allow international tourists probably by September-October.
Source: The Times of India ( https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/as-cases-drop-hotels-reopen-occupancy-to-pick-up-in-aug/articleshow/84774475.cms )
