‘’Taxes should be made uniform and the government should do away with multiple taxes’’

Leisure and MICE business in Goa

Neeta Sen

The year 2007-2008 saw a whopping rise in leisure business. Thereafter the business dropped due to global recession, terror attacks, etc, while from 2009 the business has remained static. The MICE segment is quite crucial for us, as it ensures a healthy occupancy and volume.

Apart from these two factors, this segment has emerged as a major revenue contributor. In addition to the room revenues there are areas such as food, cocktails, snacks, audio visuals, decor, themes that contribute to large incremental revenues. We are very well equipped in terms of convention halls, breakaway rooms, pre-function areas, modern audio visuals facilities, thematic menus, indoor and outdoor venues for events, spa and gym facilities, large swimming pool and all such services which complements a MICE movement. On an average we do 30 per cent segment mix in terms of occupancy and revenues of approximately 25 per cent is generated from the MICE segment.

Source markets

India remains to be a biggest source market for us, followed by UK, Russia and Portugal.

Business strategy

The strategy has to be ever evolving. There is fierce competition in Goa with international chains and boutique hotels opening every year with a sizeable amount of inventories. The business spreads across all these inventories. New markets are not emerging at a growth pace that we would want it to, due to global issues. The airline rates also do nothing encouraging towards the destination; on the contrary we are losing business to South East Asia. We maintain a very close check on ground and market reality to sustain. Our websites offer attractive deals.

We have tied up with major consolidators across the country and drive as much business possible through this channel. Weddings in Goa are a huge success and we have a very successful wedding sale policy in place.

Local and national advertising aides in business from the locals, free individual holiday makers as well as corporates. Having been in the reckoning for over 25 years, we have created a very strong and reputable brand image for ourselves, which works in our favour, as we have a very strong repeat clientele base.

State government’s role in tourism

Government should actively and aggressively participate in promoting Goa as a destination, as this is one of the main revenue earning industry in Goa. Taxes should be made uniform and the government should do away with multiple tax slabs

Your wish list

Airport management has improved over the years and the existing airport is under expansion. This is the need of the hour. Setting up IT and pharma industries in the industrial belts will enhance corporate business too.

USP of the hotel

Our location is our USP. We are a beach resort and that makes us unique. We are just about seven km from the capital city of Panjim. Our restaurants are popular with the local community. We have a Taverna, Lobby Bar that offers daily live entertainment, Café Azul – poolside restaurant, Alfama – Chef’s speciality restaurant, Barbeque – beachfront grill restaurant. Our lawns and convention halls provide an apt choice for events. Another unique feature is our newly renovated fitness centre, spa and salon.