When we found out about this in december 2004 I imediatley got on to travel company and they said it was just a rumour and not to worry. I then insisted that if it was true then it was their responsability to get round this as they had sold us tickets that were not fit for the purpose that they were intended to be used for and if we could not fly then we would do everything in our power to sue and expose them. They eventually checked up and sent someone to the airport to meet us and gave us the paper that we needed to board. By the way the flight was with everyones favourite (think not) Monarch. B

Proof of accommodation is required with all charter flights that leave the UK for Goa. The Tour Operator is not allowed to sell a flight only they have to include one nights doormhouse accommodation with the flight.

Also from this year anyone travelling on a charter flight can not stay for more than 28 days. When I was booking my holiday this was read out to me over the phone by tour op and I had to acknowledge that I understood before they would carry on with the booking.

I don't think you need it if flying scheduled but not sure

Joan123

For as long as I've been visiting Goa this has always been the rule to my knowledge (1 nights accom compulsary). It's all to do with Brits who own property over here, the travel Co's and hoteliers feel they lose out if people with their own accom take up the seats on charter flights that could be taken by tourists who need the accom when they get here. Hence the 28 day rule for people on charters.
Hope this make sense, Goldenflipflop

Having had several holidays in Goa and never having to prove accommodation, I was really worried about it in case I did not have the correct documents so I e-mailed First Choice.

I received a reply stating that yes you will be asked to provide proof of accommodation (they send you an accommodation voucher which will suffice), but they also said you must put the name of your hotel on your visa application.

I think most people put the name of their hotel on their visa application forms.

Hi again, Sydney

We didn't put the name of our hotel on our visa form - we used the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai (responsible for Goa) and the name of our holiday company.

I read in another thread that someone didn't even fill that part of the visa application in, they just put 'N/A' and their passports came back OK with their visas.

I'll be sure to take all documentation that comes from our holiday company, just in case there's any problem at the airport about accommodation.

Polly

Friends of mine have just checked in on the MYT 095 flight from Manchester flying at 20.05 tonight and have been asked to show proof of accommodation, they said all the other passengers were being asked as well.

Hi
just re-read this thread and wonder the current situation is.

We flew out of Manchester with Monarch on 25th February and just as they were opening check-in, a member of the ground staff stood at the desks and shouted:
'Does everybody have a valid passport?
Does everybody have a valid visa?
Does everybody have an accommodation voucher?'
If you don't have ALL these 3 things, you cannot travel'.

I spoke to a number of people while in Goa who had travelled with Monarch from Gatwick and they were NOT asked to show accommodation vouchers.

So, whose 'policy' is this?
If it is a requirement for entry into Goa, surely all airlines and airports would be asking for this.
If it is a requirement of Monarch (but why?), then shouldn't they be asking the same of passengers travelling from Gatwick and all other airports?

Just curious.

Polly

Does everybody have an accommodation voucher?'

Where do you find the accommodation voucher? is it printed on your ticket?
Ive not used monarch for a few years to go to Goa, last went two years ago but from what i can remember last year on a holiday to Turkey my plane ticket had all my hotel details on e.g. 14nights, hotel name and board basis. That was with airtours but im going with Jewel in the Crown to Goa in a couple of weeks.

So will my hotel details be printed on the plane ticket as it was with airtours for turkey last year?
Thanks

yummymummy

We had a separate letter from Cosmos stating that we were staying for 14 nights at Valentine's Retreat, Candolim.
We took this (after reading of the problems with flying Monarch from Manchester) and had no problem at check-in.

If you have something (either a letter or tickets) that show your accommodation is booked, you should be OK.
If Jewel in the Crown don't send you this (I'm sure they will, though), I'd get in touch with them.

Enjoy your holiday.

I just want to understand why one specific airport and one specific airline operating from that airport seems to demand proof of something that nobody else seems to be interested in.

Polly

Probably a jobsworth,

Remember it is the carriers responsibility to repatriate anyone who is refused entry into a foreign country, it also carries a hefty fine and as the rules change often, they are just protecting themselves

Hi Lezlie
I can understand that, but if Monarch are enforcing a policy at Manchester to Goa, then why not at Gatwick on flights to Goa too?

Surely they should have a policy that is applicable to all airports.....

Enjoy your holiday too, by the way.

Polly

Hi Polly.

I will enjoy my holiday, thanks.

Could be any number of reasons, new girl on departures going by the book, they know the inspectors are at the airport, hangovers. Who knows?

I think I will e-mail them and ask. Not holding my breath tho

Lez

Hi Lezlie
Good idea, I've already emailed Monarch to ask for a reason. Probably

Could have 3 results:
1. None at all - as you say, they may not bother to reply
2. They stop asking for accommodation vouchers at Manchester
3. They START asking for accommodation vouchers at ALL airports - in which case I apologise in advance to anyone travelling from other airports.

This was first mentioned back in January 2006, so it's definitely not a one-off occurence.

Hope you enjoy your first trip to Goa - hey, if you DO move there would you adopt me and let me come for cheap holidays, too? I am housetrained.

Polly

Hi Polly.

your number 8 on the list.

I'm thinking of selling "time share" and hav'nt even been yet

lez

I am flying out of Manchester this Saturday and have no accommodation voucher as I am staying at Lin b's apartment. Woe betide anyone who stops me trying to get on that aeroplane!!!! You wouldn't like me when I'm mad

Gramps,
noticed you are going "scheduled" so may not apply to you.
del949

The letter and accomodation voucher that came with my tickets says on it:

'The Indian Civil Aviation Authority has introduced strict rules for people using Dormhouse flights only. It is imperative to complete the immigration form handed to you in the aircraft. Under the address section you must give complete details of your stay,be it with friends or registered accommodation. To avoid complication do not use the word Dormhouse but rather Calangute Mahal,in case you are getting your accomodation on arrival'.

So... we have booked flight only and stated on our visa app forms where we are staying (Albuquerque Villas Candolim) as we have done each year.
We do have proof of our booking with them and also this 'voucher' for Dormhouse in Calangute,so we should have no probs with boarding the plane. Are they now asking me to put on the immigration form the Dormhouse or the Albuquerque Villas ? I will stick with the Albuquerque,as that is the truth,but why all of a sudden are they causing hassle ?
Another gripe ! - Booked our tickets with 0800flights.com,confirmation came form Thomson Skydeals,and tickets came with Goaway/Czech-it-out plastered all over it. I tried booking with them in the 1st place but they were quoting more than 0800flights,doesn't make sense to go through all them hands ?

We travelled to Goa from Manchester on 25 January this year. At check in we were asked for proof of accommodation in Goa. No one bothers at Dabolim, but I would be a bit wary about leaving the UK without proof of where I was staying.

Just to clarify:
as far as I am aware this insistence on seeing accommodation vouchers only applies to Monarch flights out of Manchester - unless anybody else has hit the same problem with another airline or at a different airport.

However, from what Spike says, it appears it may be a requirement instigated by India, in which case Monarch in Manchester are 'on the ball' and other airports/airlines may follow suit.

I will say that the person in charge of the Monarch check-in desks at Manchester (on 25th Feb 06) was VERY clear that if you didn't have an accommodation voucher then you weren't getting on the plane!

It would be good to get a definitive answer to this one.

Polly