from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Oct 14: Goa is all set to welcome the first chunk of its foreigner tourists with the arrival of two chartered flights on Sunday. Landing of these flights will herald the tourist season in this western state.

“The flights have left from their starting points and would be arriving in Goa tomorrow morning,” stated Ralf D’Souza, president, Travel and Tours Association of Goa (TTAG).

A Monarc 2490 flight carrying 361 passengers on board has flown from London while Monarc 4502 flight carrying 235 passengers have left Manchester, D’Souza stated.

The western state expects 44 chartered flights to lend at state’s only airport in Dabolim in south Goa. “We are expecting approximately 10 to 15 per cent growth this time... It is largely due to addition of new tourist destinations and scheduled flights," he stated.

Goa gets around 20 lac tourists every year with peak season being months of October, November and December.

D’Souza stated that Goa has three additions to its international scheduled flights this year. "Air Lanka will fly twice a week throughout the year, Germany's Condor will fly twice a week up to April, next year and Moscow's Transair will operate weekly flight for next 12 months," he stated said.

According to D'Souza a considerable chunk of guests from Eastern European countries including the Czech Republic would be visiting Goa for the first time, this season.