Goa Carnival expects to attract more than 250,000 visitors this year

West India Goa’s state annual Goa Carnival is expected to attract more than 250,000 visitors this year, Press Trsut of India (PTI) reported.

The non-stop festival will be held from March 1 to 5 in the main cities of the coastal state beginning with a float parade in state capital Panaji.

“Tourists are expected to arrive in droves to witness colourful parades scheduled in various cities,” said State Tourism Department director Nikhil Desai.

“Occupancy in several hotels across the state is high. People have booked their tickets to participate in the festival,” Nikhil said.

A float parade organised by the Tourism Department will be led by King Momo, a ceremonial figure who proclaims the decree of eating, drinking and merry making during the carnival.

The Goa Carnival is celebrated throughout Goa and ends days before the season of Lent that precedes Easter.