With entry restrictions for domestic travellers lifted, the hospitality industry is anxious to have a similar relaxation for international travellers too. Travel operators handling international bookings, including charter operators, have now requested the Goa government to push for an air bubble with Russia, the UK and Poland.
India has extended the ban on international flights till September –end. Goa’s charter season takes off in October while bookings usually start as early as April-May. However this season, bookings have been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The representatives of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) met with the tourism secretary J Ashok Kumar and tourism director Menino D’Souza, urging for an air bubble with Russia, the UK and Poland.
Goa receives around 9 lakh international tourists per year, with charter components in the range of 2-2.5 lakh. Travellers from the UK and Russia constitute the largest chunk of its international guests.
Chief Operating Officer at TCI and Sita, Ernest Dias, said although they have been receiving queries from their regular operator, especially Russia, its important that international flights resume at the earliest if bookings are to start.
He stated that charter operators are ready to come but international borders have to open. “Our request is to have an air bubble arrangement as it exists in other countries and to allow scheduled and charter flights to land in Goa”.
Abida Kumar, Vice President at Minar Travels (Pvt Ltd), added that business will come in during the months of October –November, but will pick up in a big way in January.
TTAG President, Nilesh Shah, while pitching for Goa as an international holiday destination, said that it has to be done cautiously with sufficient measures in place, given the COVID situation.
