Devising family-friendly monsoon escapades
With stunning views of the Mandovi River, the DoubleTree by Hilton Goa-Panaji is located a short drive away from the capital city of Panaji, providing a serene retreat for discerning travellers. Shiv Bose, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji, shares about the occupancies at the resort and the range of resort activities that guests and families can partake in during their stay.
This summer holidays have been a boon for travel. The compressed travel plans of domestic travellers saw the light of day, and occupancy surged in all destinations. Goa was no exception to this rule and saw a tremendous inflow of travellers for leisure.
DoubleTree by Hilton Goa-Panaji clocked over 80 per cent in occupancy consistently and the average rate surged by over 30 per cent from previous trend lines. Literally, all the occupancies came from domestic travellers. “I personally believe that the lack of inbound is getting over-compensated by domestic travellers. The rise in disposable income coupled with the hunch for luxury amongst domestic travellers has boded well for hotels and resorts. Revenues are on the rise as more Indians seek the best holiday vacation for themselves and their loved ones,” says Shiv.
Usually during monsoon occupancy levels dip by 20 per cent to 25 per cent every year as retail slows due to weather conditions in Goa. However, this year there has been a pleasant exception, with consistent retail and MICE business growth. The pent-up demand could be the reason for the consistency in travel, which is undermining the inclement weather conditions.
To cater to the demand following COVID, the resort has reworked its offerings to make it more family-oriented. “Our #KidsCertified program is one such initiative that has robust recreational and gastronomic delights for families. Our intent was to offer a very immersive resort experience, which is satisfying for both the child and the parent. If early reviews are any indication, we have successfully managed to bring this to life. For the monsoon, our ‘Chai, Chops & Chatter’ package is thoughtfully curated to pamper guests with the best of seasonal bliss the city has to offer. The iconic Mandovi river’s calming view from the room balcony, distinctively themed hi-tea inspired from different states of the country, and similar entertainment delights will give the guests a chance to reconnect and relax at this memorable monsoon getaway,” briefs Shiv.
DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji has relaunched its signature restaurant, Feliz, which is its signature dining venue serving authentic coconut-rich, Coastal, Mangalorean, and Goan cuisine in a relaxed outdoor setting. The resort also recently launched the Elle Spa and Salon, with a series of spa treatments for travellers and residents of Goa.