Goa Tourism hopes to cash in on I-Day weekend

Goa Tourism is hoping to cash in on the Independence Day weekend which is likely to see a jump in in domestic arrivals.

We have taken steps to boost hinterland tourism. This is the time for tourists to enjoy best of rural Goa, State Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said.

He said hotels are getting a good response online and advance bookings are on for the I-Day weekend. "If you ask me, I expect hotels to be full during this period," Parulekar said.

White water river rafting has been introduced in Mahadei river in Sattari taluka for tourists who love adventure activities.

"This year the response has been better. It is mainly due to excellent efforts by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation to push new markets digitally and directly," British adventure sports expert John Pollard, who is managing the facility on the river in Ushtem village of Sattari, told PTI.

Pollard, who was the first one to introduce white water rafting in south of Himalayas, said rains have helped. During the activity, tourists scale the length of Mahadei for almost 90 minutes on rafts, he said.

"Last year, around 1,300 people enjoyed white water river rafting and this year, we have crossed 800 mark already and season is only half way through," Pollard said.