Sounds Like my local council has taken over Goa

This news item wont help peoples sense of wellbeing either

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=111518

We are going to Goa on 1st December, however, with this news and the faffing about with the visas, the current lack of shacks, parasols etc., we feel this may be our last trip for a while.

My o.h. has been talking about going to Kerala next year and is already researching it (on this forum of course!).

Sydney you will still have to get a Visa for Kerela, must say though we have been looking at it, there seems to be some good deals coming up for it at the moment.

Debs

Its worth remembering that the visa fiasco will have had an effect on the whole of India, not just Goa. Tours are very popular and many people may well have had to cancel. Lets hope that the govt has now appreciated this

I remembered after I posted my last post that we need a visa for Kerala, but if in future we will be able to obtain 5 year visas (if it happens), then that will help.

We,ve been visiting Goa every year since the Eighties and up till a few years ago Helen always said that it was the one holiday spot in the world that she'd feel safe visiting alone if anything happened to me. About three years ago she woke up about 3.00am with an intruder in our room. We were on the first floor and had left our balcony door slightly open. I awoke at her scream but he was off over the balcony and away. We only lost a camera and my head torch, but a little of the magic of Goa was gone forever. We now purchase a heavy chain and padlock on arrival and use it to secure the balcony doors so as they only can be opened a few inches for fresh air. The incidence of bag snatching seems to grow yearly, and now we dont regard Goa as any safer than any other tourist part of the world
On the five year visa they are talking about, I'm sure knowing how they have treated us so far, it wont be a cheap option and will likely cost quite a bit. Mabey with all the recent bad publicity they want to try and lock us in for the five years. I feel the worlds too big, and the way things are going in Goa, I'll pass on this one, and just spread our wings further in future, I think we've possibley seen the best of Goa as a beach destination, and future visits to India will be to more unspoilt parts, when the shorter visa will suffice Alan

Well, as a result of the VISA mess we booked our winter holiday to Gambia.It will be interesting to compare experiences.
Last year I seemed to cause quite a stir with my opinion of Goa which wasn't all positive by any means.It appears that there seems to be a shift in opinion from even hardened Goa addicts. When it comes down to it I think the loyalty to Goa is based on two things... sun and cost.When you look around there are lots of alternatives !

I agree Dave, however Gambia is not an option for me. We went there twice for a week and never felt entirely safe. It is amusing at first to be approached by prostitutes every time your wife goes to the toilet, but it gets wearing after a few days. My wife who is no shrinking violet by any means, would not go anywhere by herself in the Gambia, but has had no problems in our many trips to Goa.

I too am sick of the whole Indian farce. They spend a fortune advertising "Incredible India" then make to extremely difficult to get a visa. Couple this with the property buying fiasco, then you see what many in India really think of "foreigners". Imagine the press if the Scottish, Welsh or UK Parliaments stopped Indian nationals from buying porperty in this country. I think the word racist might rear its head. Personally I think it will only get worse as India becomes more prosperous and depends less on tourism.

I have to say that the Visa thing understandably would and has put people off. But for me and many others the pull is the people - you can get sun and value for money in other countries - but it's the people that I really miss.

I agree with Sandyboy we have been to Gambia and never ever felt safe. We made friends with a couple fo guy from the shack we used and the other Gambia's were not happy that we went out and about with these lads and shouted abuse at them, yes we bought them they odd meal and drink but it was worth we were a party of 8 as well and still felt we had to look over our shoulder all the time

Probably over the last 2 years we are more aware of whats happening around us in Goa and I do agree with Vodkasundae its the people we have made friends with and the new friends we are about to meet that pull us back each year. Regarding the expenses I dont class it as really cheap holiday anymore not compared to other Asia countries

I'll get down from my soap box now

Jules

I don't think I will ever stop visiting Goa and India. I used to enjoy the Caribbean, cuba, dom rep and mexico, but got fed up with the all-inclusive buffets and the"you won't get served
before you tip attitude at the bars". So for some winter sun gave Goa a try, What a Difference. Smiling faces Polite service, and being treated as an Honoured Guest. There are still unspoilt areas and quiet beaches, and IMO the crime rate is still much lower than in many tourist destinations.
Theres somthing that just keeps pulling me back, maybe it's the magic in the air!

Been to Gambia and would NEVER go back there

I will post my Gambia revue when I get back.! I have reservations but at least I am forewarned.
I have to say, I still preferred Kerala to Goa but I too do love India and I'll miss it this year !!!!

We all know India has its bad points, the long uncomfy flight with monarch (although some people get around this by upgrading, or using a different airline), the visa situation, but why do we go back year after year?

Yes i know there are many places in the world where you can go for the same price, and you might even get better standards of accomodation.

The fact is, the things that draw us back to Goa every year are the friendly people.

My parents went to the Maldvies for 2 weeks this year instead of their usual trip to Goa.
They said at the beginning of the year that they're sick of Goa, the hassle to get visa's, the taxi drivers annoying them etc.

Well, i asked them the same question last month, and they said we are coming back to Goa for our next holiday.

The Maldives were only a few hundred pounds more than what they usually pay for Goa, yet they want to come back to Goa.
Their words were, the friendly people of Goa, the do what you please kind of thing springs to mind.

Nowhere in the whole world compares to Goa.

My dad is especially keen on coming back as when i went this year we went into a restaurant in Baga, and a waiter said, is your father not here this year?
He remembered him from 6 years ago.

This is my own opinion of Goa, and im sure other people will agree, it is truly magical.

yummymummy... 10 points!
elephant

10 points? I dare you to list them

Nicola

There is surely somewhere else that is like Goa (within India). It's just that you are unlikely to find that information ion this board. A lot of long term travellers to India don't use this board as it is geared towards 'package' and charter flight users. I think it's up to your imagination and go exploring, let's face it Maharashtra is just up the coast and if it's beaches you are looking for, that's the place.

Regarding the Visa situation, it use to be a major hassle 20 years ago and people still went to India and had to get the train down to Goa. Because it is now easier to get to, the busier and more polluted a tourist destination it will get (has become).

It's plain to see that Goa (North) cant cope with the increase in tourism and it doesn't ever look as though it ever will so it is inevitable (predicted by many Goans) the whole thing will collapse maybe not now but in the next 3 years. There's likely to be a mini-recession round the corner for UK anyway. Maybe things will get really quiet but the problem will be clearing up the mess and decomission hotels etc.

I personally think that Tour Operators should be a bit more responsible for their actions. They will probably leave Goa in a mess and find another route to get the cash flowing.

India is such an amazing place so why are they not promoting packages and charters anywhere else outside Goa and Kerala.

I'd like to go back to Goa but until they sort out the mess I'll try...

Kerala
Sri Lanka
Thailand (but avoid the obvious)
Vietnam
Costa Rica

Yes Goa is cheap but it's now become 'you get what you pay for'. The light has not gone out yet but is a dim flicker.

It's the middle of Nov. and they haven't got their act together whatsoever. If I was a first-timer I WOULD complain to my tour operator. PATHETIC

Someone summed up the Goan spirit as 'Lovely but Lazy' ... it's not as if there is a shortage of manpower.

I'll be back, maybe sooner or later... if flights are going for as little as £180 probably sooner than later.

What Big Neil says is true, it seems that a lot of people are prepared to put up with all thats wrong with Goa simply because of the people. Nobody likes the Goan people more than me, since my first contact with them in the late 50s. They are charming, laid back, wonderfull lot, but even they are changing, in the early nineties, crime was almost non existent, you had no problems with taxi drivers, you did'nt have to ask the fare or argue like now, no rip off porters at the airport, I could go on and on. Goas future tourist industry is relying more and more on tourists from other states, and certainly the package beach holidaymakers from the U.K. will be less and less important to them. The loosers in all this will not be the shack owners who are Goan, they will still get the local tourists spending with them, it will be the shack staff, who are all from out of state, they will be the ones to suffer, just ask any of them what they think of their fellow countrymen. You just have to watch to see the way they are treated It wont take the big tour companies long to move on, they will just find another place to target, with all the negative feedback they will be getting from the shambolic start to this season, it may be coming sooner rather than later Alan