-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | Goanetters annual meet in Goa is scheduled for Dec 27, 2005 @ 4pm | | | |The Riviera Opposite Hotel Mandovi, Panjim (near Ferry Jetty/Riverfront)| | Attending.......drop a line to [EMAIL PROTECTED] | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goa in a celebratory mood Webindia123.com Panaji | December 25, 2005 12:15:06 PM IST
Goa is in a celebratory mood. Rated amongst the world's top five most-visited destinations during Christmas and New Year, it is gearing up to host a record number of tourists this year. Goa tourism authorities are estimating the state will be home to over a 100,000 visitors, one-third of these will be foreign tourists, during the week intervening Christmas and New Year's Day. Room-occupancy in most of the multi-segment hotels that dot the state's nearly 105 km beach-fringed coastline has crossed 90 percent, according to Goa Travel and Tourism Association (GTTA) official. The continued demand is likely to see tariffs hit the roof. A room priced between Rs.12,000-15,000 a night is available for Rs.18,000-24,000 during the Dec 24-31 week. Sources in the hotel industry say the upward trend of prices may continue till mid of January. Goa's immigration officials confirm they have booked over 12,000 foreign arrivals by direct charter flights to the state's sole airport this fortnight alone. The authorities also have on their books some 4,000-odd registrations by foreigners who arrived earlier and have long-term, multiple-entry visas. "They enter the country through Goa and travel to other parts of India from here. But most return to spend the Christmas week on Goan shores," Rina Torcato, deputy superintendent of police, incharge of Foreigner's Branch, told IANS here. Goa's booming hospitality industry has planned a mega treat for the visitors that include brunches, dinners, traditional local dance and music and beach parties. Some of the biggest Christmas events have been scheduled at beachside venues in the famed Calangute-Baga stretch of the northern coastline. Meanwhile, unmindful of the hype and hoopla over the commercial-driven festivities, Goa's numerically large Catholic minority is sticking to tradition to participate in religious and family-centric celebrations associated with Christmas. Catholics account for over a quarter of the state's 1.5 million resident population. Christmas is also the time when a majority of Goa's expatriate population, mostly settled in West Asia, Europe and North America, return home for an annual family reunion. This apart, Goa, touted in some quarters as the place that gave trance music a global brand, also has an unofficial, clandestine method of celebration - rave parties. This year, the police have turned the heat on these drug-laced parties that are frequented by foreigners looking for a 'kick' as these become a hotspot for deals in narcotics and other banned stimulants. (IANS) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------