Tourists all set to groove in Goa

Festive fever grips Goa as hotels get ready to host Christmas, New Year bashes.

Panaji, Dec 22: Despite ban of beach parties due to security reasons, festive fever grips Goa as hotels and clubs get ready to host Christmas and New Year bashes.Tourists have resumed coming here after about three weeks staying away following the Mumbai terror attacks.

The beach shacks having no business for the past three weeks are back into activity as visitors from various parts of the world preparing to celebrate the Christmas and the New Year festivities. According to Minister of State for External Affairs, the travel advisories that were issued by various countries to their citizens not to visit India after the Mumbai terror attacks have been called off. "I would like to assure the entire international community that India remains a safe and attractive destination both for tourists as well as investors," he added. State Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said, "We decided that the parties which are held in open on the beaches, shall not be allowed from December 23 till January 5, taking into consideration all the security angles. But the parties organised by the hotels within their premises and within an enclosed area along with the traditional dances, all shall go on as normal." India has tightened security around the country, especially in coastal areas following the Mumbai attacks, in which militants used a sea route to reach India. ANI