Goa set to commence new tourist season from October 4

Goa is all set to commence its new tourist season from October 4 when the first chartered flight carrying visitors from Russia will land in the state.

The tourism industry is one the key revenue earners for Goa, which has several picturesque beaches along its 105-km- long coastline, attracting over six million visitors annually.

"The first chartered flight of tourists from Russia will arrive on October 4 at the Dabolim airport in the state," Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Savio Messiah told PTI.

TTAG is the apex body of tour operators in Goa. Though countries like Egypt and Turkey attract travellers with their cheaper holiday packages, the Indian coastal state is banking on its conventional visitors from Russia and the UK to pep up the tourist season, Messiah said. He said domestic holiday-makers have also given a boost to the state's tourism industry.

"Domestic tourists who come here from across the country have made Goa an all-year-round destination, including in the monsoon, which was earlier considered a slack season for the tourism industry," he said.

The state's lone airport has been receiving a good number of chartered flights from different countries during the international tourist season that begins in October and ends in April or May.

A total of 808 chartered flights carrying 2.15 lakh visitors arrived in Goa during the last tourist season, according to the state tourism department's website. Prior to that, 988 chartered flights had brought in 2.32 lakh foreigners in 2016-17.

"Beach shacks have already been erected and we are eagerly waiting for the first chartered flight to land," Goa Shack Owners' Welfare Society president Cruz Cardoso said.

The tourism department this time allotted shacks much in advance due to which the structures are ready before the arrival of the first batch of Russian travellers, he said.

Beach shacks are palm-thatched structures where food and liquor are served to tourists.

The state tourism department allots shacks during tourist season every year. As per the state government data, around 360 shacks are erected every year on various beaches. Besides the sandy beaches and adventure sports, Goa is also popular for its other tourist attractions like Portuguese -era buildings, churches and temples.

(With inputs from agencies.)