Panaji: Poor business, a severe commercial LPG cylinder shortage, and assembly elections in at least four major states have prompted some of Goa's beach shacks to call it a day by mid-April. Many shack operators have decided that it would be too expensive to continue operations till May end, when the season officially comes to a close. With their regulars from Britain and Russia also flying back home, diminishing returns offer no incentive to keep the fires burning.
Early Closures Across South Goa
Shack Owners Welfare Association president Cruz Cardozo said, "Around 5% of the shacks have shut down in South Goa. This is normal for some shacks to stop operations in April." The LPG shortage brought about by the war in West Asia has not only made cooking expensive but has also prompted many British tourists to cancel travel plans to Goa for the summer. Popular areas including Arambol, Benaulim, and Calangute are seeing early closures. Bonos Shack in Candolim, a popular joint for British tourists, has pulled down its shutters for this season, and the staff have returned home.
Impact of UK Charter Season and Elections
The closure coincides with the winding down of the UK charter season. All Goa Traditional Beach Shack Owner president Manuel Cardozo said, "If you look at the beach, there are so many shack operators that have started removing their shacks. We need to find ways to increase the business." Many shack employees also opted to return home for the ongoing elections. Cruz added, "Some staff wanted to return for elections in West Bengal and Assam. This is normal." While shacks along Candolim beach cater to the British charter tourists and foreigners, those along the Calangute and Baga belt cater predominantly to domestic tourists.
Return of Retired Foreigners and Operational Challenges
Shack operators said that this year saw the return of retired foreigners who once formed a significant crowd in Calangute-Candolim. A shack operator at Candolim noted that some regulars from the UK returned this year to Goa after a hiatus. However, a Benaulim-based shack operator highlighted that the drop in tourists and commercial LPG gas supply made it difficult to continue operations. "How can I pay salaries to my staff if there is no business? The tables are empty," the operator lamented. The situation underscores the broader challenges faced by Goa's tourism sector, including rising costs and shifting travel patterns.
