NORTH GOA VS SOUTH GOA
Apart from the geographical difference between north and south Goa, we ask a few industry experts to share their views on what sets the two regions apart in terms of demographics, accommodation and travel experiences
A look at what sets the two regions apart in terms of demographics, accommodation and travel experiences
For Revati and Charles Victor luxury travel bloggers at di erentdoors.com, north Goa is for action and south Goa is for peace. ey 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?
ere is a rising debate on whether widespread commercialisation has a ected 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 in ux in the number of high-quality hotel rooms inventory in the north. “e 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. is is a clear indication of travellers continuing to love north Goa and new visitors ocking to the destination every year,” says Arif Patel, Vice President, Sales, Marketing, Distribution and Loyalty, AccorHotels India.
“With ight 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.
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 A NICHE DESTINATION?
" e major di erence 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 di erence 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, e Leela Goa, a 206-key ultra-luxury resort in the far south. " e 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
O cer of e 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 o en than not hidden by the gorgeous parties and crowd pulling outlets in the north. Travellers can nd time and space to re ect, 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 o sites, social events and luxurious weddings while being a preferred family destination,” adds Balani.
Kumar Manish, General Manager at e LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa adds some perspective to this debate, " ere is a huge di erence in the demographic between travellers to north and south Goa. e 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,