Fewer visitors to Goa (India) at Christmas in 2007
Goa has seen less visitors to it's shores in the 2007 season, especially around the 2 week Christmas period when business make the core of their income that sees them through the winter.
Visitors numbers are down because of the increased difficulty in gaining tourist visas to enter India. However I think a lot of visitors have been out off, thinking that visas are difficult to obtain, when in fact they are not. I got my visa at the Birmingham office in the UK in 10 days. Other people I have spoken to here in Goa said they also got their visas at home without any trouble.
I know people who have gained their visas from India's neighboring countries, like Nepal, have found it more difficult, only getting 3 month single entry visa, rather than the 6 month multiple-entry visas they wanted.
Goan business owners say they are facing a difficult summer monsoon season on 2008. With reduced earnings some will have to find other forms of income during the difficult rainy season. Many business owners have invested lots of money improving their accommodation and restaurants, only to have them sit empty of the Christmas period. Hopefully visitor numbers will return to normal in the 2008 Christmas period.
As long as one organizes a visa well in advance, I see no reason that a Christmas visit to Goa is any more difficult than previous years. Don't be put off, Goa is an amazing place offering great value, endless sunshine, beautiful beaches and something for everyone.