PANAJI
Goa’s allure as a holiday hotspot faces challenges this December as the traveling cost is giving travellers pause. Flight fares indicate that entering Goa is increasingly expensive but departing to rival tourist destinations is comparatively affordable.
Flight passengers to Goa are already bearing the brunt of steep fares, which skyrocket during Christmas week. For instance, a flight from Delhi to Goa on December 25 costs Rs 14,063 approx. Throughout the festive season, fares average between Rs 8,711 and Rs 14,000. In contrast, outbound flights from Goa to Delhi during the same period are significantly cheaper, ranging from Rs 5,553 to Rs 6,500.
This trend holds true for other destinations as well. For Jaipur, another tourist favourite and Goa’s arch-rival when it comes to the wedding destination, inbound flights to Goa cost between Rs 7,923 and Rs 12,584 from December 20 to 31 with the peak of Rs 9,996 on the day of Christmas. Outbound flights to Jaipur, however, are significantly cheaper, ranging from Rs 6,381 to Rs 7,575 during the same period.
There’s also stiff competition from other destinations that offer unique experiences at more affordable travel costs. Consider Bangalore, known for its urban culture and proximity to scenic getaways like Mysore, Coorg, etc provides a compelling alternative. Flights from Goa to Bangalore in the week leading up to Christmas are priced as low as Rs 3,168 to Rs 4,208 while the reverse journey costs between Rs 5,131 and Rs 8,883.
Varanasi, a burgeoning centre for spiritual tourism, tells a similar story. Travellers heading to Goa from Varanasi encounter fares starting at Rs 9,939 on December 21 and peaking at Rs 12,172 on December 26. On the return leg, Goa to Varanasi, fares soar even higher, hitting Rs 14,001 on December 30 with consistent spikes above Rs 10,000 on most dates starting December 20.
Varanasi, with its timeless appeal as a spiritual and cultural haven, is increasingly attracting domestic and international tourists seeking religious and historical experiences.
In April 2024, the Ministry of Tourism’s last year’s data revealed that 8.5 crore tourists visited Varanasi (Kashi), around 4.5 crore people visited Prayagraj whereas more than 1.5 crore people visited Ayodhya Ram temple since the consecration ceremony this year. The local authorities even anticipated Varanasi would outdo Goa, Agra and Shimla.
As per some prominent travel portals, Goa does remain a sought-after destination but winter destinations like Manali, cultural hubs like Rajasthan (Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Pushkar) and Varanasi, Kerala (Wayanad, Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, and Alleppey being key locations), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mahabaleshwar among others could dilute Goa’s exclusivity.
