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Goa: Most Indian tourists shun hotels, prefer houses, flats close to sea | Goa News – Times of India

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PANAJI: Even as thousands of tourists have thronged Goa for Carnival and the Valentine’s Day weekend, a changing trend in their choice of accommodation has hotel owners scratching their heads.
More and more Indian tourists, whether here for a short or long stay, want to live in rented flats or houses rather than hotels. They prefer houses in villages, located at a walking distance from the beach or close to shore, especially those from where they can catch a glimpse of the sea.
The preferred village seems to be Arambol in North Goa. A lot of queries about the availability of such properties on Facebook reflect the changing trend.
An industry insider said that this obvious shift in tourists choosing flats or houses became more obvious after the lockdown, when Goa saw Indians in hordes not just from the neighbouring states, but also northern states.
“Tourists drove to Goa with their families, house-helps and cooks, and preferred rented houses. Obviously they would not stay in a hotel,” said Atish Fernandes, director, First Class Holidays.
Those who offer their properties to tourists are largely unregistered. Tourism director Menino D’Souza said that after the rules framed following an amendment to the Registration of Tourist Trade Act more than a year ago are notified, they would crack down on these illegal entitites. “The file pertaining to the draft rules is with the law department for vetting,” he said.
The travel and tourism association of Goa (TTAG) is not happy about the delays. It has been petitioning the government for the past few years seeking action against the illegal operators. “Obviously a new trend has set in,” said Nilesh Shah, its president. “Due to the pandemic, tourists have started avoiding hotels and choose to stay in villas or flats.”
“Also, they must have found staying in a flat more economical than in a hotel,” he said, adding, “comparatively, room tariffs charged by operators of flats or villas would be less, as unregistered entities don’t pay any levies or taxes to the government. Also, for utility connections, they don’t pay commercial charges.”
He said the government must act on unregistered entities as unfair competition is hurting the hotel industry.
Another insider said that for large families or groups of friends, staying in flats or houses would obviously be more economical than a hotel stay.
Those choosing to stay in Arambol, he said, are more free-spirited, and probably want to explore the wilder side of the coastal village, which has drawn many owing to the presence of Russians rather than the rustic beauty of the coastal village.
“Indian tourists in their 30s and 40s view Arambol as a happening place,” he added. “Small gigs, close-knit parties, dope as well as events such as meditation and yoga sessions are also on offer. I doubt their authenticity, but they do attract tourists. It’s a heady mix that draws domestic tourists to Arambol.”

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Broke Swiggy guy walks 3 km to deliver food, Social media helps him find better job. Heartwarming story is viral

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Social media can be a wondrous place at times. While on most days, its ugly face is on display, on days like today, it sets examples of the power of kindness. In a social media post, a LinkedIn user shared how a delivery executive, in need of money and a better job, bagged one after the users on the platform came together to help the person out.

Priyanshi Chandel, Marketing Manager at tech company Flash, shared an incident about a Swiggy delivery agent who had come to deliver food at her residence. When she asked the late and out-of-breath delivery person, identified by her as Sahil Singh, about what happened, he told her that he had no transport and had to walk 3 km to deliver the order.

He also said that he was out of money and had nothing left to pay his landlord too. Singh told her that he was not looking for money from her but requested her to help him bag a job. He said that he had a degree in Electrical and Communication Engineering, and had worked with Byju’s and Ninjacart before. He had to move back to Jammu during the pandemic.

“I have not eaten for a week, just drinking water and tea to get by. I am not asking for anything, please if you can find me a job, I used to make 25k before, I am 30 years old, my parents are getting old and I can’t keep asking for money from them (sic),” Chandel quoted saying.

She also shared his marksheets and contact number for people to help. His details shared show that he is a 2018 BTech graduate from Mewar University, and completed his schooling from the Jammu and Kashmir state board.

After she shared the details, the comments section was filled with people who stepped up to help. While someone recharged his Yulu account so that he did not have to walk around to deliver food, someone offered a place to stay. Many offered to help him with his applications, while some offered jobs too.

Chandel, later on put an update on the post, and said that he received a job.

However, so far it is unclear what job he has received.

2023 has so far been a year of job losses, an eventual outcome of the pandemic and increased hiring by tech companies. For instance, the SSC MTS 2023 recruitment exam that took place in Uttar Pradesh in May saw over 55 lakh applications for Group D jobs. Numerous candidates who applied for positions such as peon, watchman, gardener had educational backgrounds like BTech, MBA, and Master’s degrees.

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Goa CM, NRI Commissioner writes to MoEF for help in safe return of Goans from Ukraine

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Panaji: Goa chief minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday urged Union Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar to help in safe return of Goans who are in the Ukraine.

Sawant tweeted “we are concerned about the Goans in Ukraine who are considering to return to India in the light of ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. I request Union Minister for External Affairs @DrSJaishankar ji for help in the safe return of Goans. I am keeping track of the situation.”

The chief minister’s tweet comes hours after Goa’s NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar wrote to the Union External Affairs ministry seeking help in return of Goans who are in the Ukraine.

“Many Goans are currently residing in Ukraine due to various purposes including higher studies and due to the ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine, I have started receiving requests for help and assistance from them to return back to India,” Sawaikar wrote.

The Commissioner further wrote in the letter that advisories have already been issued by the Ministery of External Affairs to Indians currently in Ukraine and our Indian Mission in Kyiy is currently handling the matter.

“Striking note of urgency, the Government of India has recently asked the family members of Embassy officials in Ukraine as well as students and citizens whose stay is not vital , to leave the Eastern European nation amid it’s raising tensions with Russia,” the letter reads.

Sawaikar wrote that the Goans in Ukraine are in touch with this office as they are anxious to temporarily return till the situation normalizes.

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Election Commission announces polling dates and counting days for Vidhan Sabha elections in 5 states

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On Saturday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates for the Vidhan Sabha elections in 5 States, namely, Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

While briefing the media, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra informed that the elections in the poll-bound States will commence from February 10, 2022, to March 7, 2022. Elections in the State of Uttar Pradesh will be conducted in 7 phases, followed by Manipur with 2 phases. Elections in Goa, Uttarkhand and Punjab will be conducted in a single phase.

According to the Election Commission of India, the votes will be counted on March 10, 2022. ECI informed that all physical campaigning will be ceased until January 15, 2022, in light of the rising cases of Coronavirus.

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