Luxury for less: Inflation-hit Bengaluru tourists wave goodbye to Goa

Bengaluru: With inflation driving up travel expenses, Bengaluru tourists are prioritising affordability in hotels and airlines when planning winter trips to coastal destinations.

Luxury hotels along India’s coast, particularly in Goa, have become increasingly expensive for middle-class travellers, prompting many to choose foreign beach destinations like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam instead.

Bengaluru-based tour operators attribute this shift to rising prices and overcrowding at popular Indian beaches.

S Mahalingaiah, Travel Consultant at Skyway Tours and Secretary of the Karnataka Tourism Society, noted that inflation has pushed tourists toward more budget-friendly options in Southeast Asia. “The cost of luxury hotels in popular Indian coastal spots, such as Goa, can be as high as roundtrip flights to Southeast Asia. Five-star hotels from Goa to Kochi charge nearly Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per night, plus 18% GST. Travellers look at the value for money; if they can get a better experience abroad for the same price, they’ll choose it,” he said.

With Southeast Asian destinations like Bangkok, Bali, Hanoi, Phuket, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Colombo offering competitive pricing, more tourists are opting for these international locations.

Dhubo Purkayastha, a Bengaluru-based traveller, shared that he prefers quieter beaches for privacy and relaxation, explaining that Indian beaches, especially along the west coast, are often crowded year-round.

“Some beaches in Gokarna, once secluded, are now bustling. In contrast, beaches in Thailand or Vietnam offer more space to explore. Flights to Bangkok can be found for under Rs 10,000 from the west coast if booked in advance, making international travel more appealing,” he added.

New tourism policy

Despite this trend, Karnataka’s Department of Tourism is aiming to transform the state’s 320-km coastline into a premier beach destination under its new Tourism Policy for 2024-29. Earlier this year, the department identified 40 sites along the coast for tourism infrastructure development. Coastal Karnataka saw over 8 crore visitors in 2023, accounting for 12-15% of the state’s total tourist footfall.