Rising tariff may make Goa less popular

With airfare and hotel tariff sky-rocketing in the month of December, New Year celebrations in Goa, the fifth best tourist hot-spot across the globe, may not be the same in the coming years.

According to a Business Standard survey, the hospitality industry - from small hotels to star resorts-has been increasing the tariff at least by 20 per cent every year, while the airline sector has also hiked its fare by 150 per cent.

The room tariff per night of a three-star beach resort in Baga, La Calypso Hotels Private Limited, ranges from Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000. Last year, the rates were between Rs 6,500 and 14,000 per night.

"We have upgraded our rooms and the bookings at our resort started in October itself. Those who have booked earlier have got it for a reasonable rate," said Abhishek Nath, president (Operations) of the La Calypso Hotels.

Ironically, the hotels across the tiny state see 100 per cent occupancy during the season. Altogether, there are 30,000 (hotel) rooms across Goa, the state needs another 15,000 rooms.

The room tariff for the star resorts like Marriott, Taj Hotels and Leela Resort ranges from Rs 35,000 to Rs 60,000 respectively.

"Rates are fixed as Goa gets a lot of chartered tourists and FITs in the winter season. For them, you need to give a full package, hence we offer fixed tariff, as occupancy is not a problem, it's always full. So, there is always an advantage in booking earlier," says Neeraj Chadda, general manager, Goa Marriott Resort.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has also urged the state government to rethink about the pricing factor of rooms being sold in Goa. "If the government is not able to control it, the state would lose its identity as a tourist hub," said Farhad Forbes, chairman of CII, Western region.

Even low-cost carriers like Air Deccan are offering Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai sector at Rs 19,500 during this season.

While for the remaining months, one could travel Goa-Mumbai-Goa for around Rs 5,000 on a low-cost carrier.

Jet Airways is currently offering the sector for Rs 12,205, Kingfisher Airlines has priced it slightly lower at Rs 10,300. While the executive class travel on Indian Airlines on the route costs Rs 14,440.

Other low-cost carriers aren't far behind. While a return ticket on the route by Spice Jet would set you back by Rs 10,848, on Go Air it's Rs 6,450.

Bus fares too have doubled. The Goa-Mumbai trip on Volvo is Rs 2,000, A-C luxury Rs 1,400 and non-A-C Rs 1,000 per person.

Besides, the hospitality and airline sectors, even cabs demand as they wish. The taxi owners charge Rs 2,000 from Baga to the Dabolim international airport, which is 40 km.

"It's not only the stay and transport, everything is expensive in Goa. A mineral water bottle is sold for Rs 50 per litre," says a Mumbai resident, Radhika Deshmukh, who comes every year to Goa to usher in the New Year.