Days after Goa topped Trip Advisor’s list of best 10 holiday destinations preferred by Indian tourists this summer, the monsoons heralded in another recognition of Goa as the most popular choice for a monsoon getaway for Indian travelers in 2017.

A survey conducted by online accommodation booking website Hotels.com reveals that Goa is the most popular destination this monsoon with Candolim, Calangute, Arpora and Baga, making it to the top 10 most popular towns. Arpora village registered a massive 91 per cent increase in hotel searches in comparison to 2016.

The survey has come as a relief to the tourism department as the State once again attracted negative limelight after a group of Mumbai tourists were attacked by armed goons at Merces and tussle between another set of tourists and taxi operators at Mapusa, both reported within a fortnight.

Back to the survey, the website had analyzed the data on hotel searches made by users for stays during the period of June to September 2017, which became the foundation to develop the India ‘Monsoon Travel Hotlist’ for this year.

Mumbai was spotted second in the list with a 49 per cent increase in searches as compared to 2016, followed by Delhi at 50 per cent increase in searches. Other places mentioned in the list include Udaipur, Bengaluru and Jaipur.

According to a report, Goa is likely to see a surge of visitors from Oman during the Eid holidays. Visa on arrival facility has increased the demand to visit the state with the interest to explore something new every time.

“Indian travelers have found favour with Goa’s seasons which is a big boon for the State. After choosing Goa as their summer vacation destination, Goa is now the most preferred choice for both domestic and international tourists during the monsoons. It is the State’s pleasant atmosphere, scenic locales, picturesque backdrop and abundant greenery that attracts tourists from all over the world. Goa Tourism is doing a fabulous job with the conduct of adventure activities like white water rafting at Mhadei Rivers and Sunday eco-treks which give tourists a perfect feel of the monsoons, its hinterlands and nature. It is a priviledge for Goa to receive another badge of recognition as the most popular choice for a monsoon travel destination,” an elated tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said.

While Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation Nilesh Cabral said that Goa has  a special appeal during the monsoons and  it is proven that the natural beauty of the State along with added attractions has a magnetic effect on tourists.

Team TNV