The Tourism Industry stakeholders are expecting an increase in the number of Russian and British arrivals for the coming Goa tourist season. Further, the new season will likely see charters from lesser-known European destinations like Czech Republic and Estonia.
A clearer picture will emerge only by September end. Although, tour operators and agents are optimistic about the forthcoming season as bookings look good so far.
First Charter Arrival
The first charter of the season is likely to land in Goa from Russia in the second week of October. “Russian arrivals will not be as high as they used to be three-four seasons ago, but definitely, Russian numbers will go up in the coming season,” said President of Travel And Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Savio Messias. Savio maintained that after two years of economic crises, the people of Russia are reconciled to their changed circumstances.
The number of Russian tourists had decreased significantly these last two seasons consequent to weakening of the Russian currency, there was a marginal rise in British tourists’ arrivals in 2015-16. This rise will surely boost Goa’s bleak economic status.
