Numbers: Goan tourism is set for a big booster June ’24 onwards. As per Goan Govt estimates, the state welcomed ~1.5cr tourists in 2023. That’s an avg of ~41k a day. And come June, this number will go up by almost 6k! Almost 15% jump. .. But how? Infrastructure expansion. Last year, Goa witnessed the opening of Mopa airport, a massive and beautiful new terminal. At launch, it had a capacity to handle 4.4mn passengers a year. And while the airport was opened then, an expansion was already under way. And the expansion will be completed and commercialised in June this year. .. So what? Well, when expansion will be complete, annual capacity will go up to 8mn. And based on present demand trends, the airport operator GMR estimates that the number of daily arrivals (avg) at Mopa will go up from 15k to 21k. And that’s how we get additional 6k passengers. .. But wait, just expanding airport capacity will bring in more passengers? No. The thing is, demand from multiple new routes is really high, but there is a paucity of infra to support more flights. And the expanded Mopa airport will make room for that. .. Like, Qatar Airways has already announced that it will launch direct flights between Doha and Goa, once the expansion at the airport is completed. The launch of multiple such new routes to Goa will bring in more tourists. .. And what will they bring with them? More occupancy for hotels, more money for locals, restaurants, rental vehicle providers, shacks, and so so many more small and big businesses. And of course, more jobs for Goans! A thing to celebrate. What do you think?
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