Goa fast tracks wooing tourists in off season

With road shows, cultural festivals and discounted travel packages, Goa Tourism is going all out to lure tourists during the non-peak monsoon season in a bid to promote the state as a round-the-year holiday destination.

"Tourists tend to avoid holidaying in Goa during the monsoon, but it is at that time that when the wildlife, waterfalls and hills come to life and are all green and beautiful," Nikhil Desai, Director of Goa Tourism, told IANS.

"We want people to explore Goa during the non-peak months from April to October," he said.

To entice tourists, the tour and travel packages are being offered at a discount.

"The monsoon has arrived in Goa and we have partnered with tour and travel agents. Tourists can expect a 25-30 percent drop in the prices of packages," said Desai.

Meanwhile, the three-day Goan Fest at Dilli Haat here saw 16 stalls that highlighted Goan handicrafts such as jute items, ceramics, patch and clay work.

It also had stalls set up by hoteliers and tour operators from the state to inform visitors about special packages offered by Goa Tourism, especially during the monsoon season. There were nature trails, rafting trips and festivals like San Joao and Bonderam that tourists could choose from.

According to Desai, around 24 lakh domestic and five lakh international tourists visited the state last year.