Pune: There is a different drive in the coastal state Goa around the festive season-both for Christmas and New Year’s. The churches and shacks are all well decorated and happiness in the air is ‘infectious’! Everyone is in a breezy mood and in the mood to bid adieu to ‘unforgettable’ 2020.

December is Goa’s top season and the New Year in Goa have something to do with attracting such large crowds but this year the grandeur may be a little low. Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the celebrations in Goa may be a low-key affair but people still are thronging to enjoy their holidays here.

While Goa which is also considered as India’s mini Las Vegas saw a major decline in domestic travellers after flying restrictions were gradually lifted from various parts of India, travel to the coastal state had initially dropped drastically. It has also gone down after Maharashtra applied new rules for those seeking entry from its neighbouring state. However, the new testing rules have been unable to discourage travellers for too long.

With COVID-19 flattening its curve and vaccines visible on the horizon, in air travel is back. Goa is leading the charge, with people flying in from all over India to enjoy the pristine beaches of Goa.

According to a report published by Money Control, “Airlines have gone into overdrive when it comes to connectivity with Goa. For next Sunday, there are 13 flights between Delhi and Goa while there are 15 from Mumbai. Currently the Maharashtra government requires passengers to have a negative RT-PCR test while landing back from four states, including Goa. There are 12 flights between Bengaluru and Goa while 7 flights are on sale between Hyderabad and Goa.”

It is undeniably notable news for the travel and hospitality sectors, which have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 outbreak.