How India Post found a money-spinner in Goa tourism
In north Goa, India's first such pick-up service on wheels for collection of consignments and parcels dispatched by international tourists has generated revenues of over Rs 24.73 lakh for the department of posts. The pilot project launched on January 14 had handled 594 international and 637 domestic consignments by the end of May.A senior official from India Post says international tourists who spend time in Goa choose to send clothes, handicrafts and other purchases back home using postal services. 'We send the van to their doorstep to collect the parcel and pack it,' he adds. The van has a crew of two—a driver and a booking staff. Every week, from Monday to Saturday, they follow a designated route that includes Candolim, Calangute, Anjuna, Morjim, Arambol and Assagao in north Goa.advertisementThough the service was initially meant to cover foreign tourists, the response was so encouraging that it was extended to domestic consignments as well.R.P. Patil, director, postal services, Goa region, says the response to the pilot project was good. A bulk of the foreign tourists who have used the initiative to send parcels abroad are from Russia, followed by those from countries like Israel and the United Kingdom. The department has kept the service running even after the tourist season ended in May because of the persisting demand at some collection points. International tourists usually stay in Goa from October to May.
Before launching the service, the authorities distributed pamphlets door-to-door to build awareness on the initiative. In an experimental run from April 24 to May 27, 2024, 58 parcels were picked up, including 25 international consignments, which brought in revenue of Rs 2.44 lakh, and 31 domestic parcels that generated revenue of Rs 23,969.advertisementThe officials also conducted a market survey with potential vendors, shopkeepers, packaging agents, resorts and small exporters. Marketing executives also visited offices, houses and shops of such customers before launching the pilot project.Patil adds that they plan to launch this service in south Goa, too, around October- November this year and had begun testing the waters. Officials say this could cover tourist spots like Colva, Benaulim and Palolem.In 2023, Goa saw 8.1 million domestic and 453,000 foreign tourists. The numbers went up to 9.94 million domestic tourists and around 468,000 international tourists in 2024. 'The state has witnessed a notable 21 per cent growth in tourism, which promises a very positive trend,' said the Economic Survey of Goa, 2024-25. 'While domestic tourist footfall increased by 22 per cent, foreign tourist footfall increased by 3 per cent. These statistics unmistakably indicate a robust growth in Goa's tourism sector, reaffirming its position as a most preferred tourist destination.'The department of tourism has said tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 have grown by 10.5 per cent year on year as compared to the same period in 2024. The first three months of this year have seen 2.85 million visitors come to Goa, up from 2.58 million in the first quarter of 2024.advertisementSubscribe to India Today Magazine
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