Selling raindrops or monsoon tourism is fast-catching as hordes of domestic tourists have started making their way to Goa during a period when tourism activity is usually expected to slow down.
There has been a marked increase in tourist inflow to Goa between June and September during the last two years. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has seen a spurt of 60-70% in booking in its residencies. The government has been aggressively marking 'raindrop tourism' since 2010.
During the off season, hotel occupancy is less than 50% as against 70-80% occupancy during prime season. Nikhil Desai, director of tourism, also a managing director of GTDC, said results are evident and marketing of Goa in Indian cities is paying off.
The marketing head of a five-star hotel, said there is no doubt that the government has been making efforts to attract tourists, but starred hotels also offer packages, slashing room rates by 15 to 40% as an off season incentive.
This month GTDC has four to five road shows happening in different cities of North India like Simla, Amritsar and Chandigarh. Recently, it concluded an exhibition and road shows in Delhi and Gurgaon. Also, road shows are being planned in cities in South India next month.
White water rafting which was started last year by GTDC in a tie-up with a private agency, is an added attraction of monsoon tourism. During the last season, there were around 1,000 bookings for rafting at the Mhadei River in Sattari taluka.
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