TEAM HERALD teamherald@ herald- goa. com
PANJIM: Traveling to Goa for year end- New Year revelries is sure to blow a hole in the pockets of merrymakers seeking to welcome 2012 in Goa.
Air and bus fares have skyrocketed to ridiculous sums. For instance, Mumbai- Goa and Pune- Goa bus fare has shot up by almost four times, and same is the case with airfare as everybody wants to get their share of fun and frolic in Goa this year end.
While Volvo bus fare for Mumbai — Goa route at normal times is between Rs 500 and Rs 600, however on Monday it went up to Rs 2000. One way ticket from Pune- Goa has gone up to Rs 2300, travel fares are expected to be at the zenith during the week or so.
A travel agent informed that rates have gone up also because of the mega Sunburn music festival which is slated to commence Tuesday.
Escalation in air fare on all routes leading to Goa, has been quite extraordinary.
On Monday, a one way ticket from Mumbai- Goa had crossed Rs 10000 mark.
A steep rise in fare during festive season has been witnessed during last few years. But during the last two years fares have gone up ridiculously.
When contacted Swapnil Naik, Director of Tourism, said according to his information, at least, until last week rise in travel fare was less than that of last year.
When asked, if this level of escalation in travel fares, hurt tourist interest of Goa in the long run, he said that now there is flow of tourists until second week of New year, when travel rates drops to normal.
“ Tourists have been adjusting their arrival,” Naik added.
When contacted Arun Dessai, Director of Transport said they have absolutely no control on hikes, effected in bus fares during peak season. “ It is a contract between the customer and the bus owner/ agent and we can’t do any thing even when rise effected in bus fare is four- five times more.” However, he pointed out that this is not applicable to government undertakings and they are allowed to charge seasonal and non seasonal rates. So while private bus owners mint money during peak season , KTC and MSRTC can’t take such liberty, and charge more than what is permitted.
Air and bus fares have skyrocketed to ridiculous sums. For instance, Mumbai- Goa and Pune- Goa bus fare has shot up by almost four times, and same is the case with airfare as everybody wants to get their share of fun and frolic in Goa this year end.
draining the pocket