Season’s first charters from UK arrive in Goa

Amidst predictions of falling arrivals from UK, the first British charter flight for season 2009-10 arrived at the Dabolim international
airport early Monday.

While the first UK charter arrived at 4am with 293 tourists, the second flight arrived from Manchester at 10pm with 304 passengers. All passengers are British nationals on an inclusive tour package holiday in Goa with a duration stay of 14 nights.

“All the British charter tourists who arrived today on our flights will be returning after a two-week holiday in Goa. They are on an all-inclusive tour package, which is pre-sold in the UK for between 400-600 pound sterling per person and is inclusive of flights, airport-return transfers and hotel accommodations with breakfast in different categories of starred resorts,” said Martin Joseph, managing director, Freedom Holidays, and a representative of Thomas Cook Airlines.

UK tourists held the number one position in Goa’s tourism scene over several years till very recently. An increase in Russian arrivals may mean that the UK will be relegated to the No. 2 slot by the end of the current season.

“The effects of the economic meltdown have resulted in falling UK arrivals,” explained Joseph. “Most hit are the working class, middle-income group who used to enjoy a holiday every winter. This year, they have preferred to save and postpone their holiday for next year,” he said.

Pointing out that the pound sterling compared to the Indian rupee gives the UK tourist a higher purchasing power, Joseph added, “Goa continues to rank among Britons’ favourite holiday destinations which include Spain and South East