‘Goa is one of the best in terms of infrastructure to support events this size’

Herald: The Goa tourist season this year is dependent largely on EDM festivals and casinos. How many people do they expect this time?

Jaideep Singh: I’m expecting a packed house. We would expect upwards of 10,000-15,000 per day on a base minimum level.

Herald: Do these people stay for all the days or is there a fluctuation in the numbers?

Jaideep Singh: I think whoever comes, stays for all days. Contrary to popular belief that accommodation is expensive in Goa during this time of the year, there are enough inexpensive accommodation options available. When a person comes for Supersonic, I don’t think he/she would want to go back in one or two days. We have sold a good number of season passes this year.

Herald: From which States of India and which countries do these fans come?

Jaideep Singh: Majorly I think because of the proximity, the west and south part of India contributes quite a bit, followed by north and the east. That is the kind of play in terms of the density of the domestic fans. Internationally, there has been quite a bit of Russian mix. There is strong presence of Europeans, Australians and a mix of Americans and Britons. We get some people from South-East Asia and the Middle-East but we do not see it as big right now. That’s a potential bucket to develop. Every year it keeps evolving.

Herald: What is the kind of money entering the local economy through your festival?

Jaideep Singh: I think it is quite substantial. From the perspective of a person buying a pass, staying at a hotel, will cost you anywhere from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 per person. Then you can multiply by four (four days) and calculate food and beverages. I think a substantial amount goes into the State economy, apart from the various taxes that are collected. I think the festivals are contributing very heavily to the Goan economy. Apart from that the promotions that we do act as means to promote Goa without the State spending to promote it.

Herald: What is the State doing to help you conduct a good show? 

Jaideep Singh: Goa has one of the best equipped staff teams which make free flowing dialogue possible. They have set procedures and policies – whether it is the police or CRZ or pollution board or medical – everybody is trained. This is something that we look for in other places also. They have a good setup in terms of infrastructure and guiding policies that are required. In India, Goa is one of the best in terms of the infrastructure required to support events of this size, from a government department’s perspective.