Cansualim: Goa has opened up early this year with the establishment of beach shacks, surprising visitors who typically wait until December for their setup.
On October 2, the first two chartered flights brought tourists from Russia to Manohar International Airport at Mopa in North Goa. The arrival of these chartered flights symbolically marks the beginning of the tourist season, although the coastal state has been welcoming visitors year-round.
“My experience in Goa is very satisfying. The nature and sea here are amazing,” said Elena Astakhova, a Russian tourist who arrived in Goa from Moscow. Elena wasn’t among those on the first chartered flights; she flew into Delhi earlier last month before traveling to Coimbatore and then to Goa. “I will be here for a week,” she added.
Enjoying the sun at Cavelossim Beach in South Goa, Elena expressed her intention to return to Goa during her next vacation. “I enjoyed Goa very much,” she said.
Domestic tourists planning their trips to Goa post-monsoon were surprised that the state tourism department had licensed beach shacks right on time. Cruz Cardoso, President of the Shack Owners’ Welfare Society, noted that for the first time, “shacks are waiting for the tourists to come.”
“Usually, tourists wait for the shacks to be erected. This time, shacks are ready and waiting for the tourists,” he explained.
Cardoso mentioned that out of approximately 350 beach shacks, 80 percent have been erected, with the remaining 20 percent expected to be ready by October 15. The beach shacks are typically dismantled before the annual monsoon.
Cardoso emphasized that shack and hotel owners are optimistic about a good tourist season, with everything in place ahead of schedule.
Dr. Aviral Mathur, a doctor from New Delhi and head of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association, who is currently vacationing in Goa, remarked on how everything was open and operational early in October. “So far, the experience in Goa is good. Goa opened up earlier this time. Beach shacks have opened, and hotels have installed beach beds,” he said.
Dr. Mathur also noted that the weather in the state is pleasant and wonderful.
While Goa remains a staple on many travel itineraries, there are some like Laraib Fatma from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, who are experiencing the beach for the first time. “This is the first time I have visited a beach. Not just Goa; this is my first time at any beach,” she said, lounging on a beach bed at Cansualim. “This entire experience is out of the blue, just like the sea itself,” she added, expressing her intention to explore the state further.
