New type of tourist

groucho

There is quite a heated debate(topic now locked) going on in another site regarding the new kind of tourist coming to Goa.Basically suggesting the lager louts have arrived.
As I have never been to Goa I'm wondering if I am the wrong type.We just want to sample the local food and enjoy the atmosphere.Surely once a place gets popular or even just discovered, the nature of the place itself inherently changes.
I certainly don't want to eat egg and chips and watch football and listen to music being blasted out of bars till the early hours.Is this just a couple of people overreacting or do you regular visitors and Goan nationals see a difference?

Feelthevibe

Hi Groucho, it is still possible to discover Goan culture and eat some splendid food, the thread you mention is basically peoples horrors at the way things are progressing in Goa. The last thing I would want to see in Goa is row upon row of English bars and cafes selling John Smiths bitter and Sunday lunches and full monty English breakfast with Heinz beans and real ketchup. After all this is India and should be respected as such, that`s why the old Goa brigade went there in the first place, to sample its culture, and some are a little disgruntled and making references to it becoming the new Benidorm.

Don`t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with Benidorm, my Mum lives there and I visit twice a year at least, I actually like the place in a strange sort of way , but what gets on peoples nerves is thought of loads of rowdy, drunken, ignorant tourists invading Goa en mass. People go to Goa to get away from the Med resorts and the madness that has ensued over the years so understandably people are a little worried as they have experienced
these places in the past.

I shouldn`t worry too much as there is enough room in Goa for everyone whatever you are looking for, the food is out of this world, sunsets to die for, very friendly Goan people, deserted beaches and egg and chips and a pint of bitter if you want it

passingby

Goa is changing and is changing fast. in only two years Anjuna chaged so much, that I wasn't able to recognise it at all.
there are more high class tourists coming to Goa now and they are coming in big numbers.
apperantly the Goan government no longer wants the backpackers, but only the rich tourists. God only knows what will become of Goa in the next few years. The way is going now, it will soon become the new Ibitza.

groucho

Thanks for that feelthevibe,I was starting to wonder whether we would fall between two stools,in that we are first timers and might not fit in with the old brigade and by the sound of things we definitely wouldn't fit in with the new brigade.
We try to respect the culture and environment where we find ourselves and hopefully give respect and get it back in return.As I said it's our first time and want things to be as good as they can be,Ian B

PeakXV

Absolutely still possible to elude the backpackers and package travel tourists (mostly all congregate together) and just be your basic free-lance history, culinary, and R&R seeking tourist!

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We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time.
T.S. Eliot

Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Nick-H

Two of the best reasons for travel, I would have thought!

India has room for many, many different types of traveller. You don't have to do it with a backpack anymore than you have to do it five-star.

And who knows what will happen over the years.... a lifelong love affair can start with a pretty face. Or just wanting to sample the food!!!!

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Feelthevibe

I havn`t been for 4 years but going in March, it will be very interesting to see the changes. I have always stayed in Vagator and well away from Baga and Calangute. However on this occasion I am staying as a package tourist in Arpora with my family who have never been to Goa before, they are really looking forward to it and I hope I can show them the beauty of Goa away from the crowds. I am open minded as what to expect in the tourist areas and will probably give it a go for the first time, I will probably hate it more than i will like it but at least I will have the good sense to run away to that deserted beach that I know of (we all have 1) and leave them to it.

GoanCanuck

There is a reason why Arpora is jokingly referred to as Lil' Manchester. Not hard to figure out what this reason is.

Feelthevibe

Oh sh*t I hope your joking me , now you got me worried hopefully March will be quiet or I will be feeling the need to run away to Vagator