Goa gets ready to ring in New Year in style

Lakhs of tourists have descended in Goa to usher in the New Year amid prediction of rains over the next three days. The Indian Meteorological department has forecast rains and thundershowers at isolated places in the coastal state during the next three days, but this is unlikely to dampen the spirits of New Year revellers.

The state has been witnessing dry weather with the minimum temperature hovering around 20 degrees Celsius over the last few days. The department has, however, not issued any warning for fishermen.

Goa has been witnessing a heavy influx of tourists, who are coming to welcome 2015 amid fun, music, dance and a taste of local cuisine. Roads in Panaji and those leading to the beach belts in North Goa are witnessing major traffic jams since the last three days. Though there is reportedly a drop in foreign tourist arrivals this time around, there is no such trend among domestic travellers.

"Domestic tourists have arrived in large numbers. There is no slowdown in the tourism sector," said Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. "The domestic tourists usually spend more time here compared to foreigners," he added.
Tourism Department has said Goa has maintained its long held reputation as a sought-after party destination during the New Year.