VASCO
As many as 185 international tourists from Kazakhstan were welcomed at Dabolim airport with traditional music, roses and cake, on their arrival by the first charter flight of the season.
The first charter flight SCAT Airways arrived from Almaty with 185+2 passengers at around 5.30 am on Wednesday.
Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho was present at the airport and welcomed the first batch of international tourists in the State with bouquets in the presence of Airport Director Dhanamjaya Rao, officials of GTDC.
The tourists were pleased with the welcome ceremony in the arrival hall of the Goa Airport and enjoyed the traditional Goan brass band, with many found grooving to the music and even taking selfies.
The travel company bringing in the first charter flight into Goa had also made necessary arrangements for translation and had also arranged coaches to take the first lot of tourists to different locations in the State.
Later speaking to media persons, Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho said many people want to travel to Goa post pandemic, making it the most favourite travel destination.
“We are happy that the first charter flight from Kazakhstan landed and very soon, we will have flights coming in from Russia and UK as well. We are sorting issues of e-visa to ensure we have more international charter flights coming in,” said Godinho.
James Kodianthara, managing director of Concord Exotic Voyages, said all stakeholders were excited to have a charter flight coming in after a gap amid the pandemic.
“We have got this flight from Kazakhstan and will operate around 4-5 flights a week from Kazakhstan and Moscow and we may have as many as 120 flights this season. Goa is going to be rocking this tourism season with the arrival of charter flights and will be the most popular tourist destination for international tourists,” said Kodianthara.
