After a year without any headlining EDM festivals
in Goa, Sunburn is back with a bang. The ripple effect can be felt across the
region and Michael Lobo, the MLA of the Calangute constituency has taken notice
of it.
He made a statement that he is for events such as
Sunburn being organised at least twice a year. “During Sunburn, the bookings
should touch 80 per cent and I am for such events being organised at least
twice a year,” he said. However, this idea may not help the overall resurgence
of tourism across Goa.
Cristo Fernandes of Arpora runs a guesthouse nearly
three kilometres from the Sunburn venue. “It will be great to have more big
music festivals in a year. We get a lot of guests during the music festival
season. There is a sudden surge and the prices double which gives us an
opportunity to do good business during those days. Many guests do advance
bookings at least 15 days prior. Last year, it was a complete lull as there
were no festivals and this year we are full for Sunburn,” says Cristo.
He further adds, “Since Vagator has no much guest
houses, the impact of the festival is around 3-4 kilometres which accomadates
the overflow of tourists. People prefer to stay within this area instead of
travelling further north or the south of Goa.”
Tyrone Almeida, manager at Oxford Arcade, Anjuna,
one of the busiest superstores in North Goa understands the crowds coming in
for the season. “Organising two festivals a year will not increase the number
of tourists coming into the state but it surely increases the of local
businessmen pending power.
People coming in for a music festival will be
limited to one festival. However, if there was another food or music festival,
it would bring in more and a different crowd. These EDMs festivals are highly
priced and they are not just coming for the music concert but spend a few
days here which requires more money. Many from the young crowd spend their
year’s earning at the festivals and they will not be able to come for two
festivals. These are large scale events which is a one time thing,” says
Tyrone.
He further adds, “I don’t think organising two
festivals will help build tourism as it is not sustainable and there is no
infrastructure for it. There is no road support and the traffic is not well
managed. During the festive and tourism season, the traffic should be smooth
and the tourists should enjoy a hassle free time in Goa. They are checked at
the entry points either at the airport or the check post and that should be it.
There are checks due to security reasons but they should not be stopped everytime
as they also want to enjoy their time in Goa.”
Stanford Fernandes of Evershine Guesthouse, Anjuna
says, “If there are two festivals held at two different times of the year it
will be a great opportunity for tourism.
However, this has to be done during the
season time. If one is held in October then the next can be in December. It
will bring in more crowd and a different crowd. We mostly receive a lot of
Indian tourists who come down to Goa and book the rooms in advance at the guest
house. They prefer to stay on the coastal belt of North Goa for the festivals
and sometimes stay back a week to bring in the new year.”
