Panaji: The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is planning to promote Goa as a destination during the monsoons and after the season.

GTDC is participating in the travel and trade fair at Kolkata on July 11, the International Travel Mart at Bengaluru on July 18 and another trade fair in Ahmedabad on July 31 for this purpose.

The government and industry has taken this step at a time when hotels have already reduced their room rates, but yet failed to draw a large number of tourists. At present, GTDC has an average of 60 per cent occupancy at its coastal residencies in Calangute, Miramar, Panaji and Colva. Most of the tourists are from North India, Kolkata and the North East.

Benjamin Braganza, Managing Director, GTDC said, “We have been getting tourists due to conducive climate in Goa during the monsoons. It's cooler here in the rains.”

Ralph de Sousa, President, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa said that many smaller hotels on the state’s coastal belt had kept a few rooms available for guests, but there were hardly any tourists.

He said, “What numbers we are getting at present are not enough. People are tightening their belts and not travelling much. Therefore to cash in on the abundant rainfall Goa has received the state government and tourism industry will also launch a massive campaign across the country, especially the dry North India and Western India, to attract tourists to the state to enjoy Goa during the monsoons.”