07/11/2020
The Noname Guesthouse. Final call.
Short background. – project with USP and 5 years of success, stylish place in Arambol, Goa, where Rooms, Café and Coworking combined in synergy. Place is popular among digital nomads, freelancers, workationers and travelers from all around the world. Located at the Beach Road in 4 stores of separate building we have highest rooftop in neighborhood with sea view, just 200m from Arambol beach. We are only one who invest in infrastructure of remote office, Coworking with fastest connection in the village. Our rating on Booking.com was never ever below 9 stars of 10, our services were awarded by Travel & Hospitality Awards (UK), Travelmyth (GR) and other travel sites. In March 2020 we’ve got national award on Indian Achiever’s Forum (IN) for Excellence In Hospitality! Sales record of season 2018-19 was INR72L (about USD100K).
We have systematically put efforts into representing our brand for Indian market of domestic tourism, and nowadays we have 3-4 inquiries weekly for one-two week-stay in our rooms and Coworking usage from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore customers, who seek for workation in Goa. Probably that sales might keep the business afloat even at pandemic “zero” season. That was the plan, actually…
Last tourist season of 19-20 was short and low and we have got to finish it with operational loses, not paid about 25% of rent (INR4L) to our landlords, owners of the guesthouse building, local family. They accepted this with understanding, no scandal or objections occurred. To underline, we both never recognized those loses as our “debt”. Leaving India in April by evacuation flight, we ended things as friends, hoping that good times will be back soon and loses will turn into gains. But, alas, it was a wild-goose chase, false hope. Pandemic disruption is still on the rise. Nor me, nor any of our staff members can come now, flights are banned, visas under restrictions. Season 20-21 promise to be the worst ever for international tourism in Goa.
The climax came from our landlords. They request me to come and pay the «debt», take my things out within 15 days, saying “else we are not responsible for it”, means they will embezzle my belongings and probably sale it for peanuts. Please note that it’s a full stuff of the business, including furniture, laundry and kitchen etc, worth more than INR4L. And then they’ll give the property for rent whoever give money in advance. They are saying also that “season is running out” and they “have already wasted 4 months on your word” which is bu****it.
Few words on conditions and circumstances of the landlord’s family. Couple of months passed since Sacru, head of the family, has expired. Madam has become a widow with adult son, who is fully dependent on her. This tragic situation enforced with nowadays income crisis and more with loans to pay for the taxi car family bought last year. Madam desperately needs money, and looking for somebody who gives a little but Now.
I’m not tending to save the business in fire-mode. Only sales can bring money to pay rent and feed locals. Even if I remit some money from Russia to landlords, just to support their family in this challenging time, it will not solve the issue as they’ll ask for more continuously. They don’t consider themselves bound and will look for another tenant while we are not there. The only reasonable solution we see - is to pass The Noname over to the new owner and reset the balance with landlords.
The main value on devastated touristic Goa market is not the real estate. Hundreds of properties are staying empty and could be rented for a pennies now. Value is the working sales channel, generating leads and inquiries, capable for filling the rooms.
This post is my Final Call for those who wants to get the ready-steady-go business in Goa for nothing. Take The Noname building for lease and get my instructions on how to launch the place, our sales channels, brand name, reputation, know-hows etc for free.
Please contact me here or by WhatsApp +917030838396 for details and landlord’s phone number.
