Diu eyes hosting 30 lakh tourists this year

Diu, which is hosting the 75-day-long 'Diu Festival' from December 1, is eyeing to attract 30 lakh tourists this year, a senior official said today.
"We are hosting the 75-day-long 'Diu Festival' from December 1 to February 15. We are hoping to double the number of tourists through this initiative to nearly 30 lakh tourists this year as compared to 17 lakh visitors last year," Administrator of Union Territory of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli Ashish Kundra told PTI here.
"President Pranab Mukherjee has given his consent to inaugurate the Diu Festival, named as 'Festa Di Diu'," Kundra said.

According to Kundra, this festival will have several attractions, including beach tents, bungee jumping, adventure sport, hot-air balloons, etc.
"During this two-and-a-half month long festival, tourists can also enjoy cultural nights to be held every week. We have lined up several top Bollywood singers to perform here during the festival," he added.
The officer said that as Diu attracts more tourists, we expect regular flight between Diu and Mumbai.

At present the national carrier Air India and private player Jet Airways are operating flights to this island, to the south of Gujarat.
Diu will also see increasing the hotel capacity for the tourists.

"We have 1,300 rooms capacity at present, which will be enhanced in the near future. We have invited bids for Greenfield and 5 Star hotels and leading hoteliers have shown keen interest in setting up the properties, he added.