Cloud on shacks, restaurants: now, tourist season goes south

For almost seven months, the pandemic has ravaged business and Goa’s tourism industry is still reeling from the blow. However, things have started changing for the better in Unlock 5, as restrictions have been lifted and tourists have started flocking to Goa.
This change in fortunes though has mostly benefited the North Goa beach belt, while Colva, Palolem and other beaches of the south have missed out on the good times.Tourism activity is low and the Dussehra weekend, a big draw for domestic tourists, will be a washout. Even the demarcations for shacks isn’t complete. Rajesh Kale, Deputy Director of Tourism, South Goa, said, “The demarcations will be done on Monday, as the staff is currently deployed for COVID and other duties.”
Many shack owners opt out this year
Despite the state cabinet approving a 50% waiver in beach shack and deck bed fees for the current season, shack owners seem wary of their prospects. Cruz Cardozo, president of Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society, who owns a shack at Cavelossim, tells us, “We would start putting up our shacks by September, but this year it will take longer. October is almost over and shacks haven’t even been demarcated yet. Usually for Dussehra we get an inflow of tourists but this year we stand to lose our business due to this delay.”
Roger, who owns a shack at Benaulim, tells us that he had to cancel many events and parties lined up for November. “I’ve been getting calls from tourists inquiring if the shacks are operational; in fact there was a birthday party planned for November but I had to cancel it.”
Luciano Fernandes, who has had a shack in Colva for over 20 years, decided not to put it up this year. “The waiver is good, but it’s not possible for me to sustain in this market. We’re getting budget tourists right now. They are not our clientele, nor do they patronise our establishments. Only three or four tables get booked during the day, this way we don’t get to make much business.”
South Goa has around 108 government allotted shacks, but this year there might be a drop in the number of licenses issued, Cruz tells us, adding, “When the season would begin, I would get a lot of calls from shack owners asking about opening of shacks, dates, licenses, but this year the calls are fewer.”
Hut owners fear COVID impact
Beach huts — a big draw in South Goa — are also staring at an uncertain tourist season because the owners are worried about the impact of COVID-19. A hut owner from Palolem has decided to stay shut for a while longer. “There is a lot of uncertainty over how to ensure the safety of guests. In case a guest tests positive during his stay, the complications have to be considered first before we start activities,” he says.
They have approached the government to waive off some of the fees this year. “Although we pay a variety of taxes, we do not get any relaxation or waivers. We used to get a mix of foreign and domestic tourists, and the huts used to be booked through the week. Now, we get clients from states like Karnataka and Maharashtra, who come for short holidays on the weekends,” says Dharmesh Saglani, president of All Goa Private Property Shacks/ Huts Owners Association. He adds, “Only four private shacks and huts each are open in Palolem and Agonda.”
Revenue down for restaurants, water sports
The restaurants in South Goa have faced the double whammy of fewer tourists and absentee staff. Francis Gomes, who owns a restaurant in Colva, says, “We are seeing only 15-20% business this season, despite implementing all SOPs in terms of sanitisation and other norms. Budget tourists are there, but not those who spend. It has been raining heavily the last week, which means that Dussehra holidays might not be as we expected. Over the last few years we have seen street food joints mushrooming and this has affected our business a lot.”
Joe Pereira, owner of Martin’s Corner in Betalbatim, said, “Many of our staffers are yet to return. Given the current economic scenario, the spending power of citizens is also reduced, which has led to a decline in the number of tourists. We are hoping tourist arrivals will pick up in the coming days,” says.
Staff shortage has hit water sports too. Lester D’Costa, who owns a fleet of jet ski, parasailing boats, speed boats and kayaks, says, “Though we have the licenses, our workers haven’t returned from their hometowns. We are planning to fly them back. The SOPs are confusing, as they say we have to have 50% occupancy. On jet skis we have two people — one who operates and the other is the guest. How do we manage?