gpdm mediagpdm media

Smaller Hotels In Goa Suffered Pandemic Pinch May Not Open The Doors This Season

- Advertisement -

With the lifting of several restrictions from the Tourism sector by the State Government, many big hotels in Goa have resumed their operations with the maximum possible capacity, but the pinch of a pandemic is being faced by the smaller properties in Goa which may not open their doors at least for this season. 

There are good signs of improvement in the situation as the vaccine for Covid-19 is in pipeline and the state government may resume the vaccination drive any time soon but the impact of the pandemic was so much that many small hotels have decided to remain closed for the time being. 

The tourism season in Goa which begins in the month of October is already halfway through and there is no sign of foreign tourists coming down to Goa this season, but despite that most of the starred hotels have resumed their operations with the flow of domestic tourists in Goa.

- Advertisement -

According to the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), most of the big properties resumed operations are doing reasonably well but a major chunk of hotels in the small and medium categories will remain shut for the season. 

“It will be better for them if they do not open. With footfalls being low, it will be extremely difficult to tide over the cost of operations,” TTAG president Nilesh Shah said.  

There are over 4,000 registered hotels, and as of Friday, Shah said as many as 1,131 hotels totaling about 26,436 rooms have started operations. 

According to the TTAG president Nilesh Shah, he received feedback from starred hotels that they are doing pretty well by offering better pricing and the occupancy in most of these hotels remained satisfactory during Diwali.  

- Advertisement -

“We expect hotel occupancy to go up again from December 15 onwards which reduced after the Diwali festival. With no hope of charter flights coming to Goa during this season due to restrictions on international commercial flights imposed by the government of India, and with an overall drop in the domestic flow, we believe half of the hotels, mostly the non-starred, will not open for the season at all,” Shah said.   

Savio Messias, a former TTAG president and a hotelier, said a particular problem the smaller hotels are facing is with the recruitment of staff, especially the kitchen staff who went back to their home states during the lockdown and have not returned since then.   

“They are unwilling to come back; probably they are scared as they went through a bad phase during the lockdown period,” said Messias adding that most of the kitchen staff, including cooks employed by the hotels in Goa, are from UP, the North Eastern States and Nepal. 

Another reason according to Mr Messias, the bigger hotels dropped their room tariff bringing in it on par with other hotels, resulting in throwing the smaller hotels out of the business. “It is only now that starred hotels have started raising their room tariff,” he said.

As much as 70 to 80% occupancy in smaller hotels, he said, was by charter tourists with an average stay of seven to 21 days. In probability, the present season is as good as wiped out “Even if hotels want to open to cater to domestic tourists, the occupancy for them will be less than average and it will not make economic sense to kickstart operations,” he said. 

News Source: Times of India | Photo by PhotoMIX Company from Pexels

Team FNH
Team FNHhttps://foodandhospitality.incrediblegoa.org
Food & Hospitality Team works day and night to get you some of the best culinary experiences from across the state of Goa. If you wish to get featured into this portal, please share your details at [email protected]

Related Stories

Discover

Discover the World’s Hidden Gems in ‘The Great One...

Experience the world's finest in a bottle with 'The Great One Sun' Whisky by Cheers Group. This International Blended Whisky combines Scotch Malts, Bourbon, and more for a unique, creamy, and honeyed delight. Embark on a global journey of flavor.

Launch of India’s First Co-Brand Hotel Credit Card by...

Experience unparalleled travel rewards with the inaugural Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card – India's first co-branded hotel credit card. Elevate your journeys with exclusive benefits, Marriott Bonvoy points, and seamless access to a world of travel privileges

Experience The Unity of Flavors at Aikyam Onam Festival...

Immerse yourself in the vibrant celebration of Onam at the Aikyam Onam Festival in Holiday Inn Candolim. Experience the unity of flavors through Kerala's culinary heritage curated by Gita Hari. Join us for a cultural journey that goes beyond taste, celebrating togetherness and harmony. Book your spot now for an unforgettable experience.

Sandeep Kaul Appointed as Director of Operations at Goa...

Meet Sandeep Kaul, the new Director of Operations at Goa Marriott Resort and Spa. With 18+ years of hospitality expertise, he aims to elevate guest experiences and optimize resort operations. Discover his vision for excellence and commitment to exceptional service.

Unmasking the Dangers of Processed Food and Sugary Drinks:...

Discover the hidden threats lurking in processed food and sugary drinks. Learn about the obesity epidemic, artificial additives, nutritional deficiencies, and increased risk of chronic diseases associated with these culprits. Take control of your health by making informed choices and embracing a balanced, whole-food lifestyle.

The Island Pool Villa: A Serene Adobe in The...

Escape to the tranquility of Chorao Island's hidden gem, the Island Pool Villa—a meticulously restored ancestral home offering a glimpse into Goa's rich history and serene beauty.
Advertisement

Popular Categories

Comments

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.