Goa tourism surprises visitors with its early beach shack setup

Saturday, October 5, 2024

In a surprising move, Goa’s famous beach shacks are ready to welcome tourists earlier than expected, catching many visitors off guard.

Typically, these iconic shacks are set up closer to December, but this year they are already operational, marking an early start to the tourist season.

On October 2, the first two chartered flights carrying tourists from Russia arrived at Manohar International Airport in North Goa.

This event symbolically kicked off the tourist season, although Goa has been attracting visitors year-round.

Elena Astakhova, a Russian tourist who arrived in Goa after visiting Delhi and Coimbatore, shared her enthusiasm about her vacation.

“My experience in Goa is very satisfying. The nature and sea here are amazing,” she said while enjoying the sun at Cavelossim Beach.

Elena plans to return for another holiday soon, saying, “I enjoyed Goa very much.”

Domestic tourists were equally surprised to find that beach shacks were already set up, thanks to timely licensing by the Goa tourism department.

According to Cruz Cardoso, President of the Shack Owners’ Welfare Society, this is the first time that shacks are waiting for tourists, rather than the other way around.

“Usually, tourists wait for the shacks to be erected. This time, shacks are ready and waiting for the tourists,” Cardoso said.

Out of around 350 beach shacks, 80% are already in place, with the rest expected to be completed by October 15.

The early setup has led to optimism among shack and hotel owners for a successful tourist season.

Dr. Aviral Mathur, a vacationer from New Delhi, praised the early opening.

“Goa opened up earlier this time. Beach shacks have opened, and hotels have installed beach beds,” he said, noting the pleasant weather.

For some, like Laraib Fatma from Allahabad, this visit to Goa marked a first-time beach experience.

“This is the first time I have visited a beach. Not just Goa; this is my first time at any beach,” she shared, describing the experience as “out of the blue, just like the sea itself.”

With shacks and hotels ready ahead of schedule and tourists already enjoying the sun and sand, Goa’s early opening promises a vibrant start to the season.

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Tags: beach shacks, goa, Tourists