For Revati and Charles Victor – luxury travel bloggers at different-doors.com, north Goa is for action and south Goa is for peace. They say, “In our heads, north Goa has always had the slick, trendy luxury, gastronomic and party scene. But the weekend and holiday crowds, have pushed us out. So, we are now going back to the basics and seeking the susegad experience in the quiet, undiscovered parts of the south.”
While north Goa, with its bustling vibe, has always been a crowd puller, south Goa, on the other hand, is starting to build its own distinct traveller segment. “South Goa is known for its culture with old world charm, pristine and serene beaches while being a synonym for luxury, whereas north Goa is known for picturesque surroundings with artistic monuments, well known beaches, destination for markets where one can do budget shopping,” says Bhagwan Balani, General Manager, ITC Grand Goa Resort & Spa.
North Goa: A traveller’s preferred destination or not?
There is a rising debate on whether widespread commercialisation has affected north Goa’s tourism. A Booking.com study shows that Calangute, Candolim, Panaji, Anjuna and Palolem are the most booked destinations in Goa — 4 out of 5 of these beach destinations are in north Goa, thereby indicating that tourism is very much thriving in the north.
Hospitality giant AccorHotels that has a prominent presence in both north and south Goa states that there has been an influx in the number of high-quality hotel rooms inventory in the north. “The occupancies of north Goa have been at its best in the past three-four years and it continues to rise at average rates as well. This is a clear indication of travellers continuing to love north Goa and new visitors flocking to the destination every year,” says Arif Patel, Vice President, Sales, Marketing, Distribution and Loyalty, AccorHotels India.
“With flight connectivity at its best, Goa is more than a once a year destination for many domestic travellers especially from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune and they keep juggling between north and south Goa. Also, when you have a short break and want to make the most of it, north Goa is the perfect package one can still have,” adds Patel.
South Goa — a niche destination?
“The major difference between north and south Goa is the reason why they come. People come to the north to celebrate, enjoy the nightlife and do sightseeing. However, in the south people come to relax and rejuvinate. Another marked difference is that in north Goa people usually spend little time in the resort. However, in the south, in our resort, for example, people come for a longer duration and would usually spend all day within the resort,” says Shridhar Nair, General Manager, The Leela Goa, a 206-key ultra-luxury resort in the far south. “The average stay in our resort in winter is 14 nights and the customers usually come from the UK, Russia and Western Europe,” adds Nair, highlighting that the southern part of Goa is for people who want to unwind in a luxurious setting.
Keeping in mind the type of tourists visiting this half of the state, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that south Goa is moving towards being a niche destination. Expressing his thoughts on this, Kapil Chopra, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Postcard Hotel says, “I think south Goa should boast being the quiet kaleidoscope to Goa’s culture, history, serenity and expanse. A few characteristics that are more often than not hidden by the gorgeous parties and crowd pulling outlets in the north. Travellers can find time and space to reflect, slow down and imbibe the culture and beauty of some great beaches, nature, churches and architecture that the state is proud of.”
Besides, the MICE segment too is opting for south Goa, owing to its close proximity to the Dabolim Airport. Located at a distance of 30 minutes from the airport, ITC Grand Goa Resort and Spa is “able to attract discerning individuals, corporate off sites, social events and luxurious weddings while being a preferred family destination,” adds Balani.
Manish Kumar, General Manager at The LaLit Golf & Spa Resort Goa adds some perspective to this debate, “There is a huge difference in the demographic between travellers to north and south Goa. The party crowd is found in the north, while the south is all about rest and relaxation. At our hotel, for example, which is one of Goa’s largest hotels in terms of area, we receive a very discerning clientele of families.” While the mature, 40-plus, high-spending segment, does prefer to go to the south, it is also an extremely important region for the MICE and wedding market. “One of our most important segments is the wedding market, and we do almost 30 weddings a year. Here, in the south, or at our hotel, for instance, you can enjoy the luxury of space, and great, clean beaches,” adds Kumar.
Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Booking.com says, “Over the last few years, Goa has emerged as a year-round destination for every type of traveller. It has become a popular hotspot not only for holidays but also for business summits, company off-sites and trainings, weekend getaways, music festivals and more.
“Evolving tourism and environmental regulations in the state mean there’s also a focus on promoting sustainable tourism in the region, which looks set to attract more tourists keen to travel more sustainably to Goa.”
Finding an alternative
Based on patterns seen on its platform, Booking.com indicates that over the last one-year, alternative accommodation — homestays, villas, aparthotels and hostels — has become the fastest growing travel segment in the region. This trend is majorly seen amongst the millennials and young urban travellers who wish to go beyond “all things luxe.”
A case in point is Airbnb’s noteworthy performance — the hospitality service provider is witnessing a surge of 515 per cent in both, domestic and international bookings in Goa since 2015, with 85 per cent domestic bookings and 15 per cent bookings coming from foreign travellers. Adding to this, Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Manager, Airbnb India said, “Airbnb not only offers its guests a wide selection of listings but also gives them an opportunity to discover, book and list unique accommodation options like a 400-year-old Portuguese villa, luxurious apartment facing the sea or a heritage home with private beach in Goa.
“This continues to attract the fast-growing segment of millennials, young urban travellers and the diverse community of Indian and international travellers who are looking at newer and more local ways of experiencing travel.”
Beyond beaches and nightlife
Along with offering unique lodging options, alternative accommodation also focusses on offering immersive local experiences. This may include a heritage walk, surfing or indulging in authentic food experiences.
Interestingly, hotel chains are also tapping on the “local” factor. For instance, W Goa features a combination of Goa’s rustic charm and the cosmopolitan vibe. Situated on the shores of Vagator beach, the hotel keeps north Goa’s bohemian spirit alive, and lets you have an insider access to annual local festivals and street parties. W Goa’s all-day dining restaurant The Kitchen Table serves an expansive range of local classics thereby giving insight into Goa’s rich food culture.
Adding to this is live music performance at Spice Traders W Goa’s Asian cuisine restaurant. W Goa also organises Saga Sunday, a dedicated platform for experimental to underground electronic music.
Goa: destination for all
- 2018 witnessed a surge in domestic travellers coming to Goa as compared to international travellers. Cajetan Araujo, General Manager, W Goa said, “For 2018, two-third of our guests were from the Indian market and other key contributing countries have been USA, UAE and Great Britain.”
- Goa is becoming a 12-month destination and the demand for homestays is on a rise in the state.
- North Goa’s Arambol and south Goa’s Agonda have emerged as the new and upcoming destinations in Goa.
- South Goa is picking up as a wellness destination with the launch of holistic retreats like Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat. Located on Divar island on Goa’s Mandovi river, this AccorHotels’ property offers a range of authentic Ayurvedic, naturopathy and yoga treatments for guests to experience.
Our picks of best resorts in north and south Goa
North Goa
Party Destination: W Goa
Enjoy live music performances by popular global artists at the Rockpool. One of the most vibrant properties in North Goa, W Goa also hosts Saga Sunday, a platform for electronic music artists to showcase their skills. marriott.com
Affordable Luxury: Acron Waterfront Resort
An ITC Fortune branded hotel, Acron Waterfront Resort has 47 rooms with elegant décor and modern amenities. Dont miss the temperature controlled jacuzzi, infinity pool, and a river deck. acronwaterfrontresortgoa.com
Business Hotel: Le Meridien Goa Calangute
Le Meridien Goa Calangute accommodates meeting venue spread across 654 sqm space. For an outdoor event, there is Telhado – a terrace venue overlooking the Arabian sea. marriott.com
South Goa
Best Beach in Goa:
Spread across 45 acres of lush greenery, ITC Grand Goa Resort and Spa offers direct access to the Arossim beach. Each of the 252 rooms and suites offer private outdoor spaces in the form of a balcony or patio many providing sweeping views of the sea. itchotels.in
Golf pick: The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa
The 263-key hotel is located on the Raj Baga beach in Canacona, Goa. The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa features a double-tee 9-hole links golf course equipped with a well-informed staff, caddies and a fleet of deluxe golf carts. thelalit.com
Ultimate Splurge: The Leela Goa
If you are looking for a high-end luxury experience in the lap of nature, then The Leela Goa is the place to be. The resort offers a range of plush amenities for guests who wish to spend time in the resort rather than venturing out. Guests can enjoy holistic wellness and luxury grooming services at The Leela Goa spa. theleela.com
