Film festival seen boosting Goa tourism

Choice of Goa as the venue for the 36th International film festival of India (IFFI) is expected to boost tourism sector in the state. Events associated with IFFI held in the state has opened new avenues to generate revenues, say sources.

"Goa has always benefited from major events such as IFFI. Last year, the state government has built the necessary infrastructure keeping in view the film festival and in coming years the Mopa International Airport at Pernem will turn out to be a major boon for the tourism sector," says Elvis Gomes, managing director of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC).

The GTDC has registered 100 per cent booking for three consecutive months from November this year. "It's not only our resorts, but most of the hotels have been booked till February end. It's 100 per cent bookings from November onwards," Gomes said.

Last year, the state government invested over Rs 200 crore and managed to earn a net profit of 25 per cent.

But this year, tourism industry in the state is expecting to earn over 40 per cent revenue, according to highly placed sources in the secretariat. This year, the tourism industry is also expected to break its previous records in the number of tourists flocking to the coastal state.