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Rude Travel by Vir Sanghvi: A tale of two destinations

Hindustan Times | By
Jan 19, 2020 12:25 AM IST

Twenty five years ago, the Maldives was a budget destination while Goa was rocking. Now the roles have been reversed.

There are two famous South Asian seaside destinations that I have seen develop before my eyes. The first is Goa. When I first went there (Christmas, 1976, I think), it had only just become a desirable place for Indians to go to. The Taj had opened the Fort Aguada Resort a year or two before and it remained the only resort hotel of any consequence in the state.

In the Maldives, places like Soneva Jani and Cheval Blanc charge upwards of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>3 lakh a night for Christmas Eve
In the Maldives, places like Soneva Jani and Cheval Blanc charge upwards of 3 lakh a night for Christmas Eve
Hoteliers never built the kind of top-rated properties in Goa that would attract Maldives-level tourists (Getty Images)
Hoteliers never built the kind of top-rated properties in Goa that would attract Maldives-level tourists (Getty Images)
Heston Blumenthal liked the place so much that he married his girlfriend while at Soneva Fushi
Beach dining is a luxe affair at Soneva Fushi
Beach dining is a luxe affair at Soneva Fushi
No well-heeled international tourist treats Goa as his first choice today (Getty Images)
No well-heeled international tourist treats Goa as his first choice today (Getty Images)
The dedicated chocolate room in Soneva Fushi is ideal to indulge the sweet tooth
The dedicated chocolate room in Soneva Fushi is ideal to indulge the sweet tooth
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