A very interesting article about tourism in Goa.

http://business.in.com/article/real-issue/goa-paradise-lost/10992/0

That certainley makes many of the points that have come up on this thread, and were not very well received by a lot of people. Very interesting, it's about time the tourism managers in Goa woke up to whats happening to their business before it's too late.
Alan

I read this a couple of days ago, didn't put a link as didn't want to be seen as negative (again)! But as has been said, it brings up several issues that have been voiced on HT - wonder if the journalist has been reading HT
Fizz

If you want links to Goa happenings the best site is -

http://www.goanvoice.org.uk

this is an independent site - like this one - is not financed by any company where you can get daily updates on Goa - read and make up your own mind.

It takes you to local newspapers as well as Indian ones - a good read for all things Indian.

Agree with that waterproof

Martin_d
in answer to the question you posed when you started this thread

However, with the new visa rule, the ever changes in vibe etc. is it time to call it quits or plough on and seek out new pleasures in the fabulous state?

- only you can decide whether it's over for you.
This thread has certainly brought out some strong feelings, I think fizzy2 expressed it perfectly in her post dated on Feb 26th about first timers not noticing what long stayers do and I also agree with many of the 'changes for the better' that Javelin mentioned - apart from the entertainment one, imho bad karaoke or poor singers are enough to put me off going into a bar or restaurant.
We've just returned from 3 weeks in Candolim - our 10th visit over a 16 year period and our second visit this season.
Yes, we've seen lots of changes - some for the better and some not - but we're not so naive to expect any holiday destination to stay the same as when WE discovered it.
We may go back next season or try somewhere different or even revisit somewhere else we've been before.
To be honest, I'd love to find somewhere where the weather is pretty much guaranteed and there's loads of places to eat good food during the last 2 weeks of November and first week of December (not all-inclusive) but Goa ticks all the boxes for us.

So, if you want some recent opinions of whether it's really all over for Goa, here's the view of lots of first timers and second timers we spoke to:
they LOVED it - they saw it with fresh eyes, with no comparison to make, just as fizzy2 said.
Many said they would be returning next year.

Maybe in a few years time they'll be posting on here, asking if the Goa they fell in love with has gone for good and bemoaning how so much has changed, just like some of the people who don't like the changes that have happened over the time THEY'VE been going.
But, even so, there'll still be new people who discover it as a destination and fall in love with it.

I hope the strong opinions of some posters who've obviously decided that Goa is no longer THEIR dream destination haven't spoiled the anticipation for newbies.

Oh Prettypollycat so beautifully put, i thought your post spoke volumes and totally summed up the answer to the original 'question' (post)

To be honest, I'd love to find somewhere where the weather is pretty much guaranteed and there's loads of places to eat good food during the last 2 weeks of November and first week of December (not all-inclusive) but Goa ticks all the boxes for us.

and thats very true too... but i have yet to find it as well... and like you we are well travelled... so meanwhile we cant find a place to beat Goa

I really cant add anything to your post but applaude it...it says it all as it is ....

Chilly

prettypollycat

You have put into words exactly the things my wife, her sister/brother inlaw, and myself have been talking about over the weekend.

We went to Calangute for two weeks in Nov. as newbies, and had a superb time, I am now in the process of booking for 3 weeks in Jan 2011, and can't wait to return.

The Preacher.

Well we are just back so I need a few days to settle down before I make a detailed reply.I will do a trip report although as we did nothing different to other years it will be brief.

We had our usual great time but the title of this thread is Is it all Over?

Well no I don't think it is but I have to honest from what I saw it seems a miracle it isn,t.

Try to be as balanced as I can when I recover from the journey.

Papa

PPC - well said I will probably still have my moans and groans about Goa but as I have often said it's just borne out of real frustration and I know all the regulars will understand where I am coming from with that comment

The only thing I must take offence at is this negative feeling for Kareoke - you haven't been to the right bar when I am singing - if you did then I am sure you'd change your mind
Fizz x

Wow, I've just read through this thread upon returning from a month in Goa. I've missed all the action!!

Yes Goa's scruffy, utterly corrupt and officialdom makes the rules up as they go along. But it's also full of great food, has a wonderful climate in our winter and is still (despite the plummeting pound) affordable. Like many I've often come home and said that we'll try somewhere else next year - and then gone back again. I've reached the stage now where we don't even say it!

Goa's changing and some changes I like, some I don't. When those I don't like outweigh those I do, I'll go some place else - it's that simple.

I congratulate the mods for bouncing Spaldy - his posts were often insulting and there was clearly an agenda somewhere. It's not about disallowing negative views, it's more about removing a platform from somebody who was abusing it...and abusing many of the people on this forum, many of whom have exchanged information and views for years and who, though they may not always agree, respect each other.

There, got that off my chest....need to get round to doing a report!

The only thing I must take offence at is this negative feeling for Kareoke - you haven't been to the right bar when I am singing - if you did then I am sure you'd change your mind

Fizz - I said 'BAD karaoke' and 'POOR singers' - but if the cap fits, do wear it, dear.
Seriously, it's just not 'our thing' but if we're both out there at the same time, I might just pop along and see if i agree with you.

I do agree with Roma regarding the banning of Spaldy.
Later posts in this thread have shown it's possible to highlight the negative aspects of Goa without cramming it down people's throats in the guise of 'educating potential new visitors to Goa'.

I've often said that whenever anyone asks me if I would recommend Goa, I say 'no'.
After the shocked look, I explain that we love it, but it may not suit them.

I've often said that whenever anyone asks me if I would recommend Goa, I say 'no'.
After the shocked look, I explain that we love it, but it may not suit them.

My thoughts exactly, You either love it or hate it

Agree. I think a lot of people I know wouldn't appreciate what I think are the charms of Goa. Lets face it, 4* in Goa does not equal 4* in the Caribbean!

4* in Goa does'nt compare with any 4* anywhere inthe world I've been to !
Alsan

Don't know Spaldy, never met him, but his posts were spot on to the Goa to-day. It is know good having two weekers holiday glasses on.

We have never seen so many rooms to let signs, and unfortunately for the Goans, people who have rented for donkeys years, are not renewing their rentals. Am astonished in one shack how many are not renewing and returning. These rentals are really upmarket.
Saying that we have had a good six months here, yes things have gone up in price,
taxi drivers are really greedy, but to-day has been wonderful at Ashwen, walking the golden
beach to Morjim but hardly a sole there. The prices in our old shack there have shot up, checked out others they were really expensive. Much more than in Candolim and Calengute.

Even a jeweller I had dealt with for years, had really fleeced a friend - they did not know
it was a friend of ours. Soon got the price down - but a very bad feeling for us. Got him money back, but it left a very bad taste in the mouth. You would not have wanted to take a friend to negotiate for an engagement ring would you!!!

Twm wrote:

:( Don't know Spaldy, never met him, but his posts were spot on to the Goa to-day. It is know good having two weekers holiday glasses on.
We have never seen so many rooms to let signs, and unfortunately for the Goans, people who have rented for donkeys years, are not renewing their rentals. Am astonished in one shack how many are not renewing and returning. These rentals are really upmarket.
Saying that we have had a good six months here, yes things have gone up in price,
taxi drivers are really greedy, but to-day has been wonderful at Ashwen, walking the golden
beach to Morjim but hardly a sole there. The prices in our old shack there have shot up, checked out others they were really expensive. Much more than in Candolim and Calengute.
Even a jeweller I had dealt with for years, had really fleeced a friend - they did not know
it was a friend of ours. Soon got the price down - but a very bad feeling for us. Got him money back, but it left a very bad taste in the mouth. You would not have wanted to take a friend to negotiate for an engagement ring would you!!!

I have to say Twm ,I never new Spaldy but didnt agree with most of what He/she said,
and we have just returned from just short of 5 months there and also had a wonderful time as usual
Yes some prices have gone up but depends where you shop and varies from area to area and the prices in our regular shack in Candolim have hardly changed at all this season.
I also did notice that some prices along Aswem-Morjim area are much higher than Candolim
but like any where in the world , does not happen every where .Just shop arround.
The small guest houses in our village were half empty this season, but know many new people have
already booked them for next season at very very good rates,so the people who are no longer going back there for what ever reason have helped the new folk with cheaper accommodation
All in All, because many people have not gone back this season,those of us who still love Goa have
benefited by there absence . We all have a choice,but its still good value and great weather at that time of year.

Don't know Spaldy, never met him, but his posts were spot on to the Goa to-day. It is know good having two weekers holiday glasses on.

But this forum is holiday truths so is aimed at the tweekers. Of course Goa is different for people who stay long term, having said that posts from Split, Chilly etc it doesnt sound too bad to me,

Living in Goa is totally different from holidaying in Goa. We are going there for a good time, I maybe wrong but personally I don't care if I pay a few extra rupees for a drink or a meal, I truly don't mind giving the taxi driver 100 rupees to pop me up the road to Newtons and back, yes he could well be ripping me off but £1 of my money has been spent making my life easier, he is happy I am happy whats the problem.
I cant imagine anything worse than going on holiday for a couple of weeks and spending the time comparing prices and wondering if I could have got a beer down the road for a few rupees cheaper, honestly the last thing I do in Goa is compare prices, it costs less than living here, there are fantastic restaurants too numerous to mention with brilliant food at a fraction of the price I would be paying in the UK. Beach shacks you can eat and drink all day and still have change from £10. I truly don't understand people who have two hard earned weeks each year to relax and then spend all their time fretting over what amounts to a few pence

yes Roxey, and its sunny and hot and as you say great food, cheap drink, what more can one ask?? and I love it whatever!! warts and all!! ... and as you rightly say this IS a holiday forum.. for people checking out a resort for HOLIDAYS!!!! not life.... although it often ends up being for life...holidays here for life at least

chilly