Tourists revel in the monsoon mystique that Goa exudes

The rains create their unique magic on Goa’s beaches — dark, deep, ethereal green and flashy golden. Whoever the guest, whatever the weather and time, the beach beckons.

Tourism stakeholders expected visitors from the Gulf (Middle East) to rush to Goa for a rain experience. However, tensions in that area have left stakeholders banking on domestic tourists, and they have not disappointed.

Don't miss the rain of monsoon fruits in Goa

“We expected some guests from the Gulf countries after the participation in the recent travel mart, but unfortunately, have not been able to (see them). We have guests coming from different states of India, and the flow has been satisfactory. One cannot expect more at this time of the year,” reasons Ezekiel, who works for a travel agency.

The flow of tourists, according to industry insiders, is similar to the flow just before the close of the season, though during the weekend, tourists increase in number slightly.

Ezekiel, Travel agentWe have guests coming from different states of India and the flow has been satisfactory. One cannot expect more at this time of the year

“With school holidays having come to an end, the flow is restricted to the weekends and it is slow. It is not surprising because this has been the trend even before the COVID-19 pandemic,” justifies Ezekiel.

Rains in the neighbouring states, bad roads and accidents have deterred many tourists from driving to Goa. With few guests opting to visit Goa during week days, and not many during the weekends, restaurants along the southern coast have been relying on locals and second home owners.

COVER STORY: Beaches in South Goa offer a natural canopy which in the north cannot due to over development.

“Business is not bad. We have our regulars dropping by, and whenever the sun shines, the demand for tables increases. There is no reason to cry as the church square is always full,” says Peter, who manages a restaurant in the capital city of Panjim.

The same can be heard in South Goa, where owners of select restaurants, open along the beach belt, are yet to feel the pinch of the downturn of tourist arrivals.

Peter, Hotel manager, PanjimBusiness is not bad. We have our regulars dropping by, and whenever the sun shines, the demand for tables increases. There is no reason to cry as the church square is always full.

“The rains have been lashing other parts of India very badly and that could be one reason why many have opted to stay back home. Overall, June was a good month, really unexpected,” confessed Mathew who manages a prominent restaurant in the south.

The story in the otherwise busy north is not too good, though stakeholders, despite the ‘poor turnout’ are not too pre-occupied. For many, it is expected.

The story in the otherwise busy north is not too good, though stakeholders, despite the ‘poor turnout’ are not too pre-occupied. For many, it is expected.

“With children going back to school, the footfalls have been poor since the last week. It is work time for many, and this is actually not the time of the year when we expect the restaurant to be full,” avers Michael who runs a popular cafe-cum-bar and restaurant in the north.

“We get the mad crowd during the weekend, who come for the trance parties, but that is only for two days, and a lot of such places are working with skeletal staff as it is not economical for them to stay open after paying all the extras,” he feels.

Feel the magical monsoons in the villages of Goa

Tourists or not, beach cleaning goes on. “I clean the beach in the morning and by the next high tide, it is dirty again. This is the time of the year when the tide carries the dirt from afar and throws it on the beach,” explains Santan as he finishes cleaning the beach in the morning.

For Santan, and many beach cleaners, it does not matter whether people visit the beaches. “If I do not clean it today, it gets messier tomorrow, and Goa is a place where there are tourists or people on the beaches all year round,” he says.

Five spots in South Goa that look different in the monsoon

And, the reason why there are tourists even in the rains is because it is a new experience to many.

“We do not have a beach where we stay (back home), and to be on the beach when it is raining is the stuff of dreams. We will come back!” says Sallaudin as he and his friends enjoy the beach during the weekend.

The magic of Goa in the rains is still being discovered by first-timers and that should broaden the smile of stakeholders.