TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: A month after the international charter season commenced, a total of 166 flights have landed so far with a surge in arrivals from Russia.
Between October 18 and November 19, 2013 a total of 141 flights from Russia have landed in Goa bringing in a total of 34,518 Russian tourists out of the total charter tourist arrivals of 41,312.
Besides Russia, charter flights have arrived from just three other destinations ~ UK, Germany and Khazakhstan. So far 19 flights have arrived from UK bringing in 5,463 tourists, three from Germany bringing in 636 foreign tourists. A total of three charter flights have also arrived from Khazakhstan bringing in 695 passengers.
Earnest Dias of SITA a travel and tour operator in Goa having a huge clientele from Russia said, “The first month of the charter season has been very encouraging,” adding that even though arrivals are low from the UK, they are hopeful that after the World Trade Mart there will be an increase in arrivals from London. “This country is showing signs of getting out of recession and one could expect an increase in charters from this market too,” Dias explained.
While charters from Russia would continue to dominate, other destinations are expected to fly in charter flights to Goa in the weeks to come.
Charter flights from Stockholm are expected to begin from November 24 while those from Finland are scheduled to begin from December 13. Poland would commence charters operations from Dec 22. Those from Estonia are expected to arrive from December 29.
Meanwhile, the government Tuesday sanctioned a sponsorship grant of Rs 25 lakh towards the ongoing National Convention for Christian Communities which began, through the tourism ministry. The grant was handed over to the Diocesan Organizing committee at Institue Piedade.
