To be showcased at this year’s Carnival float parade
PANAJI
India’s first Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) bus service, temporarily suspended for various reasons after its launch in 2017, is set for a relaunch after making its presence in the upcoming Carnival float parade.
The Tourism Department, on Thursday, said that it will showcase the HOHO buses at the entertainment parade before its official re-launch shortly.
A fleet of open-roof double-decker and single-decker buses was among a series of new ventures launched during the BJP government’s previous stint. Ex-Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation Nilesh Cabral had then proposed to extend the fleet by 15 more buses and create more circuits all over Goa in addition to places of tourist interest in Panaji, like Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula cliff, Miramar beach, Calangute beach area,
etc.
Meanwhile, the annual Carnival event will begin from Porvorim on Friday, while it will be flagged off from its traditional venue at Panaji on Saturday.
“The curtain raiser will commence at the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (IHM) Porvorim with a float parade from IHM to Adcil School, Porvorim. The float parade will be flagged off at 3:30 pm in Panaji on February 18. The parade will commence from New Patto Bridge to Kala Academy/Campal ground,” reads a press statement.
The float parade will move along the road in categories such as traditional, club/institutional, family, fun junk, and clown joker, including floats from local villages and cultural groups.
With the operationalization of the new Helipad at Dhauje in Old Goa, Goa tourism is giving thrust on new tourism services such as helicopter tours.
The department has also set up a 24x7 running helpline for tourists in cases of distress or to seek any detail they require.
Russel D’Souza from Margao is the King Momo at the VIVA Carnaval 2023.
Several thousand tourists are expected to arrive in Goa to witness the parade.
