Airfares in Goa to swing as hotels hold back rooms

Two days ago, fares on the Bangalore-Goa sector ranged between Rs 7,500 and Rs 12,600 for the one-way direct flight to Goa on Christmas eve. On Friday, one airline had reduced its fare by 25 per cent.

On the Mumbai-Goa sector, fares have seen even wilder swings, going up and coming down to Rs 4,101 for the cheapest one-way ticket on offer to get here on December 24.
New Year surprise

The bigger surprise is the crash in fares for December 31, listed on Friday at Rs 2,631 for the GoAir Mumbai-Goa flight.

Bangalore party-goers are not so lucky.
Fares from that location are still in the range of Rs 5,300+ one-way to Goa on New Year’s eve.

But where it is likely to sting most is in the return journey specially for those who have decided on last-minute bookings. Getting back to Bangalore from here will cost not less than Rs 19,000+ for a single ticket on January 2. And the only flights available will take you either via Mumbai or Chennai.

On the Goa-Mumbai sector flights were available for Rs 8,500 onwards on Januray 2.

Accomodation

A travel operator here said the uncertainty over the availability of accommodation for the Christmas-New Year week has kept the rush at bay so far.

“As far as we know, rooms in the cheaper hotels in the $100 range are fully taken.”
Many four and five star hotels are still holding on to rooms to cash in on the high peak season rates, he said.

Luxury resorts here are selling rooms for Rs 22,000+ to 25,000+ on Christmas eve.
On New Year’s eve, upscale hotels have tariffs pegged at Rs 30,000+.

Four star and those classified as regular five star hotels have set room tariffs for this season ranging from Rs 9,000 to Rs 18,000.