Goa open for tourism from July 2, 2020 onwards (Only for domestic tourists!)

Goa, which was one of the first states in India to declare itself CoVid-19 free, has finally taken a decision to open itself to the tourists. This is interesting from various perspectives, as the state is very much a tourist destination during the rains.

a pool with umbrellas and chairs and palm trees

As a part of the second leg of the Unlock for the state, more than 250 hotels in Goa will open on Thursday, July 2, 2020. These hotels have been permitted to resume operation by the Goa Tourism ministry, as per an announcement by the Goa Tourism Minister today. Tourism is about 40% of the states GDP, as per the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG).

As per the minister,

 

The hotels will be allowed to start from tomorrow. Those who want to travel to Goa can do so. Hotel booking should be done prior to travelling to the state and with a hotel that has been allowed to reopen. Without booking tourists will not be allowed. At the entry point we will check if they are tested 48 hours prior. If not, the tourist will be sent to a hotel, where he will be tested. And once the test is negative, the tourist will be allowed to move out. If the tourist is staying with friends or relatives, there should be documentation.

To arrive in Goa for tourism, you need to be satisfying the following criteria before arrival,

  • Pre-book a hotel approved by the tourism department
  • Carry a CoVid-19 negative test certificate while entering Goa. Otherwise, you will be tested and quarantined before your results are out.
  • Only Domestic tourists are allowed for the moment

You don’t have to fly into Goa, you can also drive to Goa without an interstate permit now on. Most major hotel chains have started updating data and accepting bookings. For instance, the ITC Grand Goa, earlier the Park Hyatt Goa, is accepting bookings.

What do you think of making a quick trip to Goa as tourism reopens in the state?


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About Ajay

Ajay Awtaney is the Founder and Editor of Live From A Lounge (LFAL), a pioneering digital platform renowned for publishing news and views about aviation, hotels, passenger experience, loyalty programs, travel trends and frequent travel tips for the Global Indian. He is considered the Indian authority on business travel, luxury travel, frequent flyer miles, loyalty credit cards and travel for Indians around the globe. Ajay is a frequent contributor and commentator on the media as well, including ET Now, BBC, CNBC TV18, NDTV, Conde Nast Traveller and many other outlets.

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Comments

  1. It’s a brave move by tourism minister of goa to start hotels.
    Take precautions and stay away from corona
    U can not make life long lock down
    Keep it up
    Deepak shah
    GM
    Goviea holiday home
    Candolin hos

  2. I love Goa and I wanted to visit, but without casino I’m not interested .
    Pls can u inform me when casino will start…

  3. This Goa government is going to kill us,when there are so many covid cases ,how can the government i.e. tourism minister say Goa is covid free.

  4. Good decision,what about low budget small hotels starting from inr 500/00, will they be oprating too,? With what conditions?

  5. I would love to go, but the logistics are a nightmare:

    How to get a Covid test?
    – it’s basically impossible to get tested if you are asymptomatic in most states

    The test has to been taken within 48h.
    – Given that it can take days to get results, this seems infeasible

    Some states will require you to quarantine on return.

  6. Not a very smart move, could have waited another couple of weeks before taking a call as cases are only rising across the country.

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