Even as Goa comes alive with Christmas carols, decorated houses and beautiful Christmas trees to welcome over 30 lakh tourists expected to arrive for the extended holiday season, authorities are taking no chances with their safety and security. According to Nikhil Desai, director, department of tourism, strict measures to safeguard the safety of tourists have been formulated and these will continue to be in place until the feast of Three Kings/Epiphany on January 6.
“Apart from night patrolling police teams, road checks and overall bundobust will be intensified to instil confidence into tourists,” he pointed out, and added: “Not only the police but also health, fire and allied disaster control teams have been asked to remain on stand-by to ensure that they are able to mitigate, contain and manage the situation in case of an emergency.”
Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for the festival of love, peace, fun and laughter. The Baga-Calangute coastal belt has been brightly lit with vibrant Christmas decorations. Live music and karaoke will be a part of every restaurant along the coast; not forgetting the special Christmas goodies like puddings, bebinca, dodol and plum cakes.
Churches across Goa are readying for midnight masses on December 24. This will be followed by the Christmas ball on December 24 and 25 where revellers can tap their feet to live bands and DJs performing at hot spots like Emerald Lawns and Alva Mar in North Goa and Blueberry Hills and Woodburn Country Club in South Goa.
Several music festivals are also lined up between December 26 and New Year’s Eve, attracting masses of tourists. Sunburn, an electronic dance festival, brings together music, entertainment, food and shopping — all at one venue. Simultaneously, Supersonic, a five-day EDM festival, will take place at Candolim beach featuring an impressive line-up of artistes taking the stage.
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