panaji
The Fatorda Stadium will host nine matches of the Under-17 FIFA World Cup, which will be played between October 7 and 21, this year. Due to this, players, coaches, managements and other officials will visit Goa.
Not just that, a very high number of spectators, sports enthusiasts, commentators, media-persons will also visit the state in October. All this means huge business opportunity for hotels, which are already gearing up.
Prashanta Nandi, revenue manager, Caravela Beach Resort in Varca, said, "We are already getting queries from people, who would like to visit Goa, when matches will happen. We are getting queries both from individual travellers and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) segment."
Nandi continued, "We expect bookings will be done by the end of August. We are sure that the number of foreign tourists will be more in Goa this year in October compared to the previous year."
In the last few years, it has been observed that the tourism season kicks off only in November. Normally, hotels don't see high occupancy in October. The Under-17 FIFA World Cup has come as a huge boon, especially to hotels from Margao, Colva, Cavelossim, Varca and Utorda areas.
Sources in the know have also said that the Under-17 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest event to happen in Goa after DefExpo last year. While DefExpo brought only the corporate travellers for premium hotels, Under-17 FIFA World Cup will bring all kinds of tourists, as a lot of youngsters are sports enthusiasts, who travel on slim budgets.
Shivam Verma, general manager, Royal Orchid Beach Resort & Spa at Utorda, said, "Under-17 FIFA World Cup will put Goa on the world map as a leading tourism destination. As we move towards October, there will be huge business opportunities."
