Panaji (Goa): The much-admired annual Goa Food and Cultural Festival 2017 started with a big bang at the Campal sports ground. Although the official digital launch was delayed by nearly one and half hour, the attendees – mostly tourists – enjoyed every bit with different varieties of food, including the Goan cuisine as well as beverage stalls lined up and musical bands entertaining them.
The event organised by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in association with the Department of Tourism saw a huge crowd within just three hours on day-one.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated the festival in the presence Minister for Tourism Manohar Azgaonkar, Chairman of GTDC Nilesh Cabral, CCP Mayor Surendra Furtado, Director of Tourism Menino D’souza, TTAG President Savio Messais and others.
The festival will also have Goan artists showcasing the best of Goan music and folklore.
“Goa Tourism organises this unique festival every year with an endeavor to provide a platform and a melting pot for Goan cuisine and culture. It is encouraging to see this festival getting better every year with much enthusiasm and participation from a lot of tourists, locals, artistes, performers and tourism stakeholders,” Parrikar said.
“I am happy to see the elaborate arrangements made at the Goa Food and Cultural Festival 2017. Following an overwhelming response at the ‘Grape Escapade’, held recently, the Goa Food and Cultural Festival 2017 also promises to be a spectacular event with food, music and entertainment to fascinate tourists and locals from all over. As Tourism Minister, I am keen on introducing more festivals that will add boulevards and distinctive elements to the state,” Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar said.
GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral, said, “GTDC organises this event every year to bring people under one roof who wants to experience Goan culture and cuisine. This year too, the five day festival looks attractive with appropriate measures put in place along with a variety of cuisine, programs, fun and activities.”
Team TNV
