In a notable shift this year, Goa’s beach shacks are being set up ahead of the tourist season, with many already prepared by early October. This early launch is providing a warm welcome to tourists, including Russian visitor Elena Astakhova, who is relishing the timely arrangements and the experience. Local shack and hotel owners are optimistic about a prosperous season thanks to these preparations.
Typically, shack operators wait until the season is in full swing, often by December, before establishing their businesses. However, this year, tourism operators in Goa have begun erecting beach shacks significantly earlier. The arrival of two chartered flights from Russia at Manohar International Airport on October 2 marked the unofficial start of the tourist season, further fueling anticipation among local businesses.
Cruz Cardoso, president of the Shack Owners Association, noted that this is the first time shacks have been ready for tourists rather than the other way around. Out of approximately 350 beach shacks, about 80% have already been constructed, with the remaining expected to be completed by October 15. Each year, these shacks are dismantled before the monsoon season in the coastal state.
Aviral Mathur, a New Delhi resident and head of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association, expressed surprise at the early setup of beach shacks and the availability of beach beds in hotels. Tourists like Astakhova, who traveled from Delhi to Coimbatore before arriving in Goa, are finding the experience delightful, particularly appreciating the stunning sea views. She expressed her intention to return, while Cardoso and other business owners are hopeful for a successful tourist season, with everything in place earlier than usual.
