I have just read that Thomas cook have pulled out from Goa?? is this correct...? I was told it was due to corruption i then did a search for flights with TC and nothing came up so maybe it is the case...anyone have any more info? its all very sad... and worrying for people
chilly

They have some cracking deals for November !
I hardly think it's corruption more like corrosion that might make them pull out, some of their planes are a bit old.

so they havent pulled out then?
chilly

Doesn't look like it.

We booked, to fly with Thomas Cook in November, last week.

Nothing is certain in these troubled times for Goa and indeed the world economy.

Papa

If you liked the Goa of 10 years ago I can assure you there are places out there without the hassle of visas - i've found them! pretty sure this will be last time in Goa. I too felt some kind of urge to go back time and time again but.......

We booked with Thomas Cook this season ( Nov and next week) and both times they offloaded us to Monarghh!
They pulled out of Kerala last year too, as did First Choice.
Is the writing on the wall?

Exactly candy64...Open your eyes,is it really,really worth all this?
10 or 15 years ago i would of said yes but certainly not now. The thing is we are not wanted they can't make it any clearer so why go? I could give you a list of places to go that knocks spots off Goa in so many ways.
It's had it's day move on or stay put if you are prepared to be treated like somthing on the bottom of their shoes.

Well someone in today's Herald seems to think that they know something about the 3 month visa:

Throwing out foreigners
Albizzati Giancarlo, Alto Porvorim
Rajesh Naik (‘Indians not allowed', Herald, 30 Dec) should now be satisfied on seeing the extradition of foreigners from India taking place in a big way.
The 6-month (tourist) visa is history. The rule now is the 3-month visa which will bring ‘quality' tourism to Goa. The problem remains with a large number of Europeans who came to India for years. renewing the famous 6-month visa dozens of times.
Isn't it curious to see the government easily modifying the lives of honest Europeans? And, vis-à-vis this situation, what shall I think about the (taxpaying) karaoke presenter enjoying the facility of a business visa?

Hi Spaldy.... well said..
We first visited Goa in 2000....its now a totally differant place...
Over the years we have made so many very good Goan friends...and that is the only reason we go back is for them.....going in April to a wedding and that may be our last time

P.S....Any chance of letting me have some of them places your found

Submitted on-line application Tuesday 2nd Feb, posted passports to Birmingham 3rd Feb - just got them back today, got to be the quickest in 11 years.
Only rubbish thing is a full page stamp explaining the 2 month rule, at this rate my 10 year passport will be full and need re-newing in 5 years, have they got no sense..

Hi noggin: Years ago i would never of said these things about Goa. I remember my first visit ( which i think is always best) i just couldn't wait to get back there before my visa ran out! I loved it.
Then obviously you do make friends over the years and i think it is this that is making us return now.
I left Goa before xmas and to be honest i'm dreading returning now,i have not given it a second thought whilst i've been away,not missed it at all.
I have to return to sort my house out ect but then its got to be time to move on....the only thing that i can say i will miss now is the friends i have met over the years English and Goan's/Indians.
PS Will PM you noggin.

Spike
I posted (on the 2 month rule thread) about how many pages could be taken up with visas, immigration stamps and warnings - see below:

The possible change to 3 month visas has been mentioned on here (I read that a lady had been issued with a 3 month one although she'd asked for a 6 month one), I've just had a thought re passports.
Assuming they do go with 3 month visas, those people who visit Goa twice during the season will have 6 pages of their passports used up each season (1 for the visas, 1 for the stamps and 1 for the big green notice about no re-entry within 2 months).
My passport has 25 available pages so that means that if I go to Goa twice a year my passport will only last just over 4 years, so I'd either have to apply for a new one or get one with more pages - both at extra cost.
And that's assuming I don't go anywhere else (like Bali or China) that also use full pages for visa stamps.

Apart from the one;ady on here who was issued with a 3 mth visa there isnt really any further FIRM evidence that this is going to happen is there i know we all suspect it!! but actual evidence it is going to happen?? mostly supposition so far i think? I think the telling time will be sept/oct when masses of people again start applying for the next season...
chilly

Prettypollycat , I just got a new 'jumbo' passport with extra pages as I was made aware thet you need 3 pages for India now I also like Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali etc my old passport was only 6 years old and there was no room left, I think even the jumbo passport of 48 pages will not last long now and about 4 of those pages are not blank anyway

Shirley could you tell me a little more about the jumbo passport your talking about please ..the cost and how do you go about getting one ...colleen

When you apply for a new passport , on the form it asks would you like to have a jumbo passport with 48 pages. You simply put a cross in the box and the charge is £90.50

Hi All.... I have never done an online application before, I have tracked our passports which were sent on 5th Feb (application made on 4th Feb) is it normal that our status has not changed from "An Application was made on 4th February" even though they have had our passports since Saturday (according to Royal Mail)?

Thanks
L