Study Tour to Mumbai and Goa from 21st to 28th September 2024

Ms. Marina Das (Manager - Inbound Sales)

Dear All,

The below report of my Familiarization (FAM) tour to Mumbai and Goa:

I would like to thank MD sir for giving me this opportunity to go on a FAM tour to Mumbai and Goa from 21st to 28th September 2024. The overall experience was learning and enlightening. Hence, I am pleased to share a “Brief Report on the Familiarization Trip" for your reference.

I reached the airport well before time to board Indigo Flight which departs at 1000 hrs from Terminal 1 to Mumbai. The flight was well on time.

• Landed at the scheduled time at Mumbai Terminal 2 airport. Upon arrival, after baggage collection I was well received by Trinity Tours representative.

Regarding Hotels: I stayed at Gordon House, Mumbai, one of the best boutique properties at Colaba. At the center of the city, easily accessible to the market, in and around many café’s, Marine drive and gateway of India at a walkable distance. Rooms are nice; I was accommodated at the Country room, which was warm and cozy with all the amenities. Staffs are always welcoming, attentive and professional. Food was good. Few Inbound guests were also staying at the hotel.

Here's the ranking of the Mumbai hotels based on my observation, from best to lowest as per the location.

We should not use Fariyas as the rooms need renovation. Mostly Arabic crowds as they come for doctor appointments and they did not allow me to click the pictures due to security reasons. Sun n Sand and Sahil are more of a domestic crowd. Suba Palace the rooms are really small. Soho House, Hilton airport and Hyatt Centric only entertain bookings from repeated clients or members.

In addition to the hotels, I also got a chance to visit the Garha office to meet Mr. Rathore and his team. We had a long discussion on the pricing part which he mentioned that can work it out and decrease the price on a case to case basis. Met the team and drivers as well, drivers were well behaved and uniformed. I have seen Aircon Toyota Crysta, a brand new model 2024. The vehicle was equipped with white seat covers, first-aid kid, picnic hamper, foot matt. The quality of the vehicle was good. After the meeting, Garha Tours driver dropped me at my hotel. He was a nice, well behaved, polite and knowledgeable driver.

Transportation: During the familiarization trip, Trinity Tours provided AC Toyota Crysta which was ok though there were no cushions, seat covers, and foot matt. But, they provided me with mineral water. The driver was wearing a uniform but it was not clean as it should have been. However, he was well behaved and polite. Representative was with me throughout to assist during the hotel visits.

Road conditions: The road from airport to hotel is now well connected with coastal road, opened for Public from March 2024 which connects to Worli/Bandra sea link and saves a lot of travel time from South Mumbai to Western suburbs. It took me about 45 mins to reach Gordon House.

On 24th Sep, since my flight departure time was 0820 hours so early in the morning at 0530 hours, the driver picked me up from the hotel and transferred me to the airport. Flight was delayed by 45 mins.

On 24th Sep, I reached Manohar International airport, Goa around 1015 hours as the flight was delayed. After baggage collection I was well received by the Goa representative.

We then proceed for a hotel inspection which took us around 45 mins to reach our first hotel Siolim House due to heavy rain. Manohar International airport is beautiful, modern and spacious. The way from the airport to the hotel was nice and smooth with lush green coconut trees throughout the road.

Regarding Hotels: I stayed at Whispering Palms Candolim North Goa, the rooms are fine but need renovation especially bathrooms. Lobby area was also rushed the moment I entered; it’s all a domestic crowd. Food was also ok ok.

Here's the ranking of the North Goa hotels based on my observation, from best to lowest as per the location.

We should not use Whispering Palms as the rooms need renovation and I can see that mostly domestic movement. However, all markets are a walkable distance. So My Plaza is fine to use the higher category of rooms as it looks more of a residential complex. We can use other hotels as an alternative, but The Park Calangute should be blacklisted as its funky crowd, loud music, and beach access is from the restaurant. Not for our clients.

Transportation: During the familiarization trip to North Goa, Blue Ocean provided AC Toyota Crysta which was ok though there were no cushions, seat covers; foot matt and they didn’t even provide the mineral water. The driver was not familiar with the route and was all the time guided by the representative.

Road conditions: The road from Manohar international airport to hotel is well connected with nice and smooth with lush green coconut trees throughout the road and reaches the city in an hour. So, if the guests are staying at North Goa hotels like Candolim, Baga, Anjuna, Varca, Miramar, Colva, Calangute then Mopa airport is the best connection to reach the hotel.

On 26th Sep, I was picked up from Whispering Palms by Freedom Holidays, South Goa driver. He was on time around 0930 hours. On the way I inspected a couple of hotels in Arossim, Benalum and Cavelossim South Goa. Remaining hotels in Varca, Palolem and Betalbatim beach will be covered on the next day i.e., 27th Sep.

Here's the ranking of the South Goa hotels based on my observation, from best to lowest as per the location.

We should not use Baywatch Resort and their other property Baywatch beach house as both the properties are too noisy, dirty, slow staff and mis-management because of high occupancy. WC in both the properties are broken. First night on 26th Sep, I was accommodated at Beach house, the property is accessible to the beach but street dogs were roaming, room allotted to me was at the ground floor next to the reception area and on the first floor the entire night there was a noise of footsteps. Apart from this, I got a call from the F&B section at the middle of night around 0130 am informing me that my food order was ready, which actually was not mine. The F&B doesn’t even know which room number they have dialed.

Overall, the experience staying at this property was pathetic. We should not recommend this hotel to any of our guests.

Likewise, Agonda Cottage, which is very far at secluded area and it took almost an hour to reach from Sernabatim. The network here is very low. Liquor shop at the entrance, since it is on the beach so during rain it becomes shabby. Hippy and backpacker crowd. There is no lift and hence it should not be recommended to any of our guests.

Transportation: During the familiarization trip to South Goa, Freedom Holidays provided an AC Toyota Crysta which was not that good as it was dirty inside, broken foot maat and a little smelly. But the driver was polite and helpful.

I hope you will find the information useful and please ask me if you need any more details.

Thanks & Regards,
Marina