Goa, Aug. 16 -- Despite parties continuing till the wee hours in popular tourist hubs like Vagator and Anjuna, tourism stakeholders across Goa wore a gloomy look at the start of the long Independence Day weekend, with hoteliers claiming that footfalls were considerably down compared to previous years. However, many remain hopeful that August 2025 will fare better than July.

"This is the first time in many years that I have recorded 50 per cent occupancy during the Independence Day celebrations. I enjoyed full occupancy for the last many years and this trend is disturbing," disclosed Javish Moniz, home stay owner in Ozra.

Villages along Goa's northern and southern coastal belts saw crowds swell past midnight, with revellers in the north ...