Polish charters set to fly in on Nov 17 in boost to int’l arrivals

Panaji: The current tourism season’s first charter flight from Poland, operated by Enter Air, will land at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, on Nov 17. Goa is all set to receive one charter flight every 10 days right up till March, said SITA’s chief operating officer for charters, Ernest Dias.He also said that the response for the direct flights from Warsaw was strong and that this is expected to boost business for local Goan hoteliers.“Goa attracts middle-aged couples and families with young children from Poland. We expect 189 passengers on the first flight,” said Dias. “As of now, we have good bookings coming in. That is a big thing. We are happy that they are showing interest.”Dias disclosed that the Polish charter tourists booked their accommodation in Goan-owned, family-run 3-star and 4-star resorts.

SITA is managing the Polish charter arrivals.“Most of the people are coming for the first time and they are staying in both the north and the south. The Polish are upmarket. They prefer staying along the Candolim-Vagator belt while the Russians prefer the lower segment, and we are entrusted with booking everything — right from the guest houses — for the Russians,” said Dias.He said that a group of Polish travel agents are expected to fly down to Goa, which indicates a long-term interest in the sunshine state as a destination.

Meanwhile, around 38-40 travel agents from Russia arrived in Goa on Wednesday. “Goa has fierce competition so it is good when travel agents from these countries come down to Goa by themselves. The tourism director will give them a presentation and we will show them around,” said Dias.