From Russia with love, that’s the signpost breaking the waves as one walks through the sands of the 2024-25 tourism season in Goa. The first two charters that landed a few days ago, brought 369 tourists to Goa, leaving stakeholders on a sensual roll.
“This is our first flight from Moscow and we will continue till May. We flew in 23,800 tourists last year and intend crossing 30,000 by the end of this season,” says Shaikh Ismail, senior vice president of Concord Exotic Voyages.
The Russians were there before the Pandemic, during the Pandemic and are there now, leaving their imprint on most beaches in Goa and deciding to make the best in Arambol in extreme North Goa.
“It’s our first time. We have come for a week, and if we like, we will come and stay longer next time,” said Zerina, as she watched her grandson discover the sea. “He is amused by the shells and the water breaking,” she said as the boy’s mother wanders further on.
There is also a change in the clientele. “The clientele from Russia will be different this season. First, there is going to be a shift from Arambol to starred hotels with 30 percent of our clients opting for starred hotels this year in comparison to the past,” discloses Ismail.
Concord, according to Ismail, has bookings with resorts not only in South Goa, but also in the north. “We have clients who have opted to stay in new resorts in Anjuna. Clients are pretty diverse this year,” he admits.
“A majority of our clients have opted for starred resorts in South Goa, whilst we still have a big number who prefer to stay in hotels near Arambol. I suppose they feel closer to home when they are amongst their own,” reflects Ismail.
First time visitors found communication difficult initially, with many preferring to observe the local fishermen pull in their nets as the sun began to set, in what was a first Goan sunset for them.
“What are these structures coming up?” asks a Russian. When informed that shacks are being set up and that soon, he would be able to eat and drink there, he inquired where he could lay his hands on a bottle of vodka. His demeanour changed after being instructed.
Shack and restaurant owners could be seen laying sunbeds on the beach, though some foreigners were skeptical about ordering food. “The place does not look fully functional. I will return to my hotel to have a bite,” confesses Dhruv.
The return of foreign tourists has brought smiles on the faces of the hawkers on the beach. “I can now say, the bad days are over. I made some money today after months. Russian ladies love to braid their hair, while the men opt to have massages,” says an enthusiastic Meena.
Charters are for a minimum of seven nights and a maximum of 28 nights. “We are dealing with more than 450 hotels in Goa this season, and this is a big improvement,” admits Ismail.
“Europe needs to be targeted better. We hope to attend the World Travel Mart in November and throw in our ideas, and hope to start charters from Europe soon,” acknowledges Ismail.
With the foreigners finally lending colour to the season, the smiles have grown bigger with a positive high.