In a few days, Goa will host two major events that are set to draw visitors from all over the world.
The first is the annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI), a prestigious event that attracts film buffs, industry professionals and well-known names from the film fraternity from across the globe, including Hollywood bigwigs.
The second event, even more significant due to its infrequency, is the decennial Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier.
The exposition is expected to attract tens of thousands of devotees from far and wide, many of who will be first-time visitors to Goa. These visitors have the potential to turn into repeat visitors if the State ticks all the right boxes.
With just days to go before these major events, the government needs to step on it and complete all the arrangements and pending works on the double to ensure that they are all in place in time.
The exposition is expected to attract tens of thousands of devotees from far and wide, many of who will be first-time visitors to Goa.
Showcasing Goa at travel marts, such as the recent World Travel Market (WTM) London 2024, and other promotional platforms will have precious little impact if the State fails to live up to the expectations of eager and curious visitors.
At a time when tourism stakeholders are banking on these two events to rev up the State’s tourism engine, it doesn’t help that Goa is in the news for all the wrong reasons – all due to a story about the supposed nosedive in the number of foreign visitors to the State.
While the figures it mentions are clearly inflated or fabricated, and the story exaggerated to either grab eyeballs or malign the State, the harsh reality is that Goa does have its fair share of shortcomings, which are in dire need of attention, failing which, the aforementioned distorted story could risk becoming a reality in due course of time.
With IFFI lasting nine days and the exposition spanning 45 days, the government and local tourism stakeholders have a brilliant opportunity to put their best foot forward and create a lasting impression on visitors coming to the State to witness the events.
With IFFI lasting nine days and the exposition spanning 45 days, the government and local tourism stakeholders have a brilliant opportunity to put their best foot forward
It can’t be emphasised enough that the State must ensure that visitors have a seamless, enjoyable experience. Infrastructure and public services need to be fully ready to handle the expected surge in visitors.
So, will Goa’s perpetually potholed roads sport a new look for these occasions? Can jet patchers make a substantial difference? Will there be a smooth flow of traffic at the event venues or will congestion be the order of the day? Only time will tell.
OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE STRENGTHS
Apart from commuting, basic amenities, too, must be given due importance. Clean and well-maintained public restrooms, drinking water stations, and waste disposal facilities are not just essential, but also challenging when such massive footfalls are expected.
Goa also has a chance to showcase its USP during these mega events. While IFFI provides an international platform to promote global cinema, it also presents an opportunity to highlight local culture.
The exposition, too, offers a brilliant opportunity to showcase Goa and its various facets – and that includes not just history, art and culture, but also innovation, business and investment opportunities, education, sporting talent, famous sons of the soil, communal harmony, the art of susegad living and creativity among other things.
In addition to film screenings, side events, cultural performances and exhibitions can give visitors a taste of Goa’s unique heritage.
The exposition, too, offers a brilliant opportunity to showcase Goa and its various facets – and that includes not just history, art and culture, but also innovation, business and investment opportunities, education, sporting talent, famous sons of the soil, communal harmony, the art of susegad living and creativity among other things. The list is endless.
In general, these occasions represent a golden chance for the State to showcase its strengths and uniqueness. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Goa can capitalise on this opportunity.
Done right, both events are capable of not only bolstering tourism, but also helping mitigate the damaging effects of the recent story of why Goa is ‘struggling’ and that the number of foreign tourists has dropped drastically.
If these events run like a well-oiled machine, there’s every possibility that the State can prove the naysayers wrong. But, more than anything, a comfortable and pleasant experience is what every visitor values in a travel or holiday destination.
Now is the time for the government and stakeholders to create a good first impression on first-time travellers to Goa.
And, it goes without saying that word of mouth and social media are indeed powerful marketing tools in the hands of happy customers – not to mention disgruntled ones, too.