Shack owners in Salcete not hopeful of foreign arrivals

Colva: Shack operators along the Salcete coast have begun setting up their structures following the completion of the demarcation process by the tourism department. While some owners are ready for business, others prefer to wait and watch, citing uncertainty over the flow of tourists this season.

A sharp decline in foreign arrivals has left many shack operators concerned. They say the traditional charm of Goa’s tourism season is fading without international visitors.

Edwin Baretto, a shack operator, expressed little hope for improvement this year, criticising the tourism ministry’s overseas trade initiatives as ineffective. Rising airfares, higher insurance premiums for aging repeat travellers, and reduced flight connectivity — particularly Air India’s cancellation of flights to Goa — have added to the challenges.

At Benaulim beach, Jack Cotez, who has been running a shack for decades, echoed similar concerns. He said unruly behaviour from domestic tourists often drives foreigners away. “There is a major dip in foreign tourists, and no one seems serious about improving tourism or attracting them back,” he said.

Shack operators also raised issues they feel govt has neglected— garbage strewn across beaches, a rise in stray dog attacks, frequent skirmishes involving tourist taxis, and the illegal practice of leasing out shacks to third parties.

Another local operator, Raj Naik, said that domestic tourists typically patronise shacks only on weekends, unlike foreigners who would frequent them throughout the week. He also pointed out a growing trend of groups playing loud music and dancing on beaches, often to draw attention.

With foreign tourist numbers dwindling and domestic crowds proving unpredictable, shack owners fear the season ahead may be far from the vibrant, cosmopolitan experience that once defined Goa’s coastline.