I would agree with Mobor One regarding the dearth of package flights, The only major independant left is Jewel In The Crown who only deal with Goa, Turkey and to a lesser extent The Red Sea. They still offer a decent mix of hotels to suit all pockets, but unfortunatley their flight provider is the dreaded Monarch which means many people (including me) would'nt use them. The big companies which are in effect only two major entities, are in no way committed to Goa. To keep prices high they will cut number of, or reduce airports ets. They simply move planes and resourses to other countries. I'm sure anyone who has browsed the travel agents windows this past season, will have noticed the lack of any last minute deals to Goa, and any that did appear, were of such a price that one could have put together an independant package, d.i.y. cheaper, it certainly was'nt becauce Goa was bursting at the seams. I think this is the main reason for what's happening to visitor numbers to Goa from the UK. The recession, visa shambles, the beloved Goan Tourism Minister, have all played a part, but the marketing strategies of the big tour companies have had the major effect
Alan
Everything combined has taken it's toll on those of us who have been going for many years.
However, this year we took some family (sister and her hubby), and I saw things through their eyes so to speak. I have to say, that for first-timers whose only experience has been Europe and Egypt, Goa is a delight. The little things that we fail to notice now, or take for granted are still a source of wonder and interest to them.
If you didn't know the Goa of old, you don't compare unfavourably. I have to say that showing them around has given me a new outlook on the old place, and I will continue to go until it becomes just too impossible, even for me.
However, this year we took some family (sister and her hubby), and I saw things through their eyes so to speak. I have to say, that for first-timers whose only experience has been Europe and Egypt, Goa is a delight. The little things that we fail to notice now, or take for granted are still a source of wonder and interest to them.
If you didn't know the Goa of old, you don't compare unfavourably. I have to say that showing them around has given me a new outlook on the old place, and I will continue to go until it becomes just too impossible, even for me.
Great to read this moles, just what we think also .we have 2 holidays booked one for November and one for feb 2011 I think as long as you take Goa warts and all you will always go back 
colleen
colleen
Actually Moles you have a good point and i think you are right ... i have met up with a few 'Goa virgins' lately and after chatting to them, i have to agree totally with what you describe ... they just love it!!
Goa still makes us happy or as happy as anywhere we can think of..... ...
so thats all good!!! We do still love Goa ...
Chilly
Goa still makes us happy or as happy as anywhere we can think of..... ...
so thats all good!!! We do still love Goa ...
Chilly
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Edited by
chilly
2010-10-19 15:07:14
No doubt about it chilli and colleen!
It still has that 'je ne c'est que' and no matter where else we go, and enjoy, it always compares unfavourably with Goa overall.
Don't give up on it chilli, where would you settle down and feel as relaxed and happy as there? It might work elsewhere for a while, but eventually I'm sure you would regret it. I bet you've made more friends and aquaintances there, than anywhere else in your life, and look at this forum, no other forums are as friendly and subscribed to as this and the TA one for Goa.
Even when we disagree on here we still come back on for more!!
It still has that 'je ne c'est que' and no matter where else we go, and enjoy, it always compares unfavourably with Goa overall.
Don't give up on it chilli, where would you settle down and feel as relaxed and happy as there? It might work elsewhere for a while, but eventually I'm sure you would regret it. I bet you've made more friends and aquaintances there, than anywhere else in your life, and look at this forum, no other forums are as friendly and subscribed to as this and the TA one for Goa.
Even when we disagree on here we still come back on for more!!
I notice the pro Thailand lobby have gone quiet, and not just the ones that have been silenced by the mods .
Well I am quite pro Thailand but not just at the moment.Two years ago 73 baht to the pound.Now around 48 baht to the pound.
Too painful for me.
Papa
Too painful for me.
Papa
Not sure I would want to be there at any exchange rate right now !
We were there during the last coup.Very civilised it was too.I think unfortunately though the average Thai protester has no Idea just how much damage they are doing to the countries number one industry i.e. Tourism.
Not that unlike Goa in certain aspects.
Papa
Not that unlike Goa in certain aspects.
Papa
Going to Thailand for the first time in December. We're stopping over for a week on the way back from Australia so it will be interesting to compare and contrast! Hope the fighting's sorted out by then - my son is there at the moment and he hasn't seen any trouble, so fingers crossed!
we too are planning a trip to Thailand in january with friends that we normally go to goa with,we have been thinking of going for a couple of years but end up going back to goa and to be honest i`d choose to go back again next year but the others want a change.i know i`m really going to miss it.we spoke to quite a few people in feb who were there for the first time and they all loved it
Thailand is an awesome country Deb, you will love it 
I am beack there in November for my 9th visit. Still love Goa though
I am beack there in November for my 9th visit. Still love Goa though
we love Thailand too Debs I am sure you will enjoy it ...excellent food and beaches too
chilly
chilly
Thanks,but will really miss seeing you all,Thailand will seem really lonely,
well if we get an invite to your bbq it`s a definate!!!!!!!!!!!.talking last night and even wondering if it would be possible to stop en route in goa for a week
I find this discussion incredibly interesting. I am a first timer to Goa (next Feb) and I suspect that it will be full of wonder for me because I have no previous experience of it.
A friend of mine went for the first time this year (and is the reason we decided to go next year) she said as they drove from the airport to the resort it was a huge culture shock and the poverty and general grubbiness was quite disturbing but that once she reached the resort things improved massively.
I am a big fan of Turkey and have been several times. In the Turkey forum we often have people saying "it's not like the old days, prices have gone up, it's not changed for the better" etc etc. But I think we all have to accept that things change! Tourism does that to a place so in part, we are to blame. You cannot expect to go back to somewhere time and time again and for it to be exactly the same experience each time. You have to embrace the changes - or choose a different destination so that you get the "first time" experience all over again
A friend of mine went for the first time this year (and is the reason we decided to go next year) she said as they drove from the airport to the resort it was a huge culture shock and the poverty and general grubbiness was quite disturbing but that once she reached the resort things improved massively.
I am a big fan of Turkey and have been several times. In the Turkey forum we often have people saying "it's not like the old days, prices have gone up, it's not changed for the better" etc etc. But I think we all have to accept that things change! Tourism does that to a place so in part, we are to blame. You cannot expect to go back to somewhere time and time again and for it to be exactly the same experience each time. You have to embrace the changes - or choose a different destination so that you get the "first time" experience all over again
In the Turkey forum we often have people saying "it's not like the old days, prices have gone up, it's not changed for the better" etc etc. But I think we all have to accept that things change! Tourism does that to a place so in part, we are to blame. You cannot expect to go back to somewhere time and time again and for it to be exactly the same experience each time. You have to embrace the changes - or choose a different destination so that you get the "first time" experience all over again
Haymans , IMO you are absolutely spot on !
However, it doesn't mean you have to find a different country if you don't like the changes,just a different place.India is huge. I have just had a fabulous holiday in Kerala and did all sorts of things I wouldn't or couldn't in Goa. With the changes that have come to Goa there are some things that are taken for granted, simple things like finding somewhere that sells cold drinks ( a beer particularly) on a scorching hot day or having an incredible choice of international cuisines in superb venues to choose as your evening dining choice. These things have only arrived with the development of tourism.
as i have said previously, we lived in thailand for a while,and have been back for hols many times,but for us our favourite places there have changed for the worst,and what with the terrible exchange rate we decided to try somewhere new.that is why we discovred goa last nov,and we are going again for 5 weeks next xmas /new year,but i have to admit our last trip was for 3 weeks and if i am 100% honest 3 wks was to long in one place for us,[we always travel for a couple of weeks then do the beaches resorts for the last wk or so],this time we are travelling around india for 3 wks then onto goa for the actual xmas.new year,so for the forseable future,goa is not over for us,
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