Tag: Travel

Events in Goa

Manoj Bajpayee to Join NoMoZo 7.0 as Porvorim Gears Up for Its People-Centric Street Festival

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Porvorim Rising is set to bring the community together once again with the seventh edition of NoMoZo, scheduled for January 11, 2026. Designed as a people-centric street festival, NoMoZo 7.0 celebrates shared public spaces by blending fitness, culture, creativity, and community engagement. Adding to the excitement this year, renowned actor Manoj Bajpayee will be joining residents at the festival.

NoMoZo encourages citizens of all ages to step out of their homes, connect with their neighbourhoods, and engage with public spaces in meaningful and inclusive ways. Families, youth, artists, innovators, and local community groups are expected to participate in a day-long programme that focuses on movement, learning, creativity, and cultural expression.

Speaking ahead of the event, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, IT, E&C, and Printing & Stationery, Government of Goa, reflected on the origins of the initiative. He shared that NoMoZo was inspired by childhood memories of streets as places to play, meet friends, and build neighbourhood connections. According to him, the festival recreates that sense of togetherness by encouraging people of all ages to interact, engage, and rediscover the joy of community life through people-first public spaces.

Expressing his excitement about participating, Manoj Bajpayee said that what draws him to NoMoZo is the simplicity with which it brings people together, adding that he is looking forward to being part of the celebration.

NoMoZo 7.0 will feature a wide range of interactive zones, including Kids, Art, Heritage, Astronomy, Fitness, Martial Arts, Boxing, Health, Youth, IT & Science, Performance & Dance, Influencer, and Karaoke zones. Free stalls will also be provided to local vendors and artisans, reinforcing the festival’s emphasis on inclusivity and community participation.

With growing public involvement year after year, NoMoZo continues to strengthen Porvorim’s community spirit by transforming everyday streets into vibrant spaces of connection, creativity, and collective celebration.

Events in Goa

Goa Celebrates the Feast of Three Kings with Faith, Culture, and Community Spirit

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa marked the Feast of the Three Kings with deep devotion and vibrant cultural expression across the picturesque villages of Cansaulim, Chandor, and Reis Magos, bringing together local communities and visitors in a shared observance of faith, tradition, and heritage. The annual celebration, closely associated with the Christian feast of Epiphany, continues to hold a special place in Goa’s cultural and spiritual calendar.

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation team led by Chairman, GTDC, Shri Kedar J. Naik, along with Managing Director Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, General Manager Shri Gavin Dias, Deputy General Manager Shri Deepak Narvekar, and other officials actively participated in the celebrations at Reis Magos. Solemn masses and processions held at local churches formed the spiritual core of the festivities, fostering a strong sense of devotion and communal unity.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, highlighted the importance of such celebrations in preserving Goa’s identity, noting that cultural and spiritual festivals form an integral part of the State’s tourism landscape. He observed that these events reflect Goa’s deep-rooted faith, harmony, and community participation, while offering visitors an opportunity to experience authentic local traditions.

Chairman, GTDC, Shri Kedar J. Naik, emphasised the role of community-based festivals in presenting Goa’s cultural identity, stating that such celebrations help connect visitors with local traditions while ensuring that cultural practices continue to thrive within their natural community settings.

A key highlight of the celebration was the evocative reenactment of the journey of the Magi, with three young men symbolically portraying the Wise Men as they carried traditional offerings through village streets. Traditional music, colourful processions, and community-led events added vibrancy and emotional depth to the festivities, drawing participation from all age groups.

The outreach of the celebration was further strengthened through a focused promotional campaign using digital platforms and influencer collaborations, enabling the cultural significance of the Three Kings Feast to reach audiences beyond the State. Goa Tourism also set up an information canopy at the church premises, where visitors were provided details on tourism services and offered refreshments and mementoes, enhancing their overall experience.

The Feast of the Three Kings 2026 once again underscored Goa’s rich spiritual traditions and strong community bonds, reinforcing its identity as a destination where faith, culture, and tradition continue to be celebrated in a meaningful and inclusive manner.

Travel

Music-Led Travel Is Reshaping How Gen Z Explores India, Airbnb Insights Reveal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Music is fast becoming a defining force behind how India’s Gen Z travels, with live concerts and festivals now shaping not just where young people go, but how they experience destinations. According to Airbnb’s Experience-Led Travel Insights, nearly 62 percent of Gen Z travelers in India plan to travel specifically for concerts and music festivals in 2026, signalling a significant shift in travel motivation.

Live events are also influencing first-time visits to cities. An overwhelming 76 percent of Gen Z respondents said they had travelled to a city for the first time because of a concert or festival, turning music into a gateway for discovery. For many, the journey extends well beyond the event itself. While 65 percent prefer accommodation close to concert venues, more than half use the opportunity to explore local cafés, nightlife spots, and surrounding neighbourhoods, contributing directly to local economies.

Group travel plays a central role in this trend. Around 70 percent of Gen Z concert-goers attend live events with friends, reinforcing the social nature of music-led travel. These trips are carefully planned lifestyle choices rather than impulsive getaways. Nearly six in ten Gen Z travelers are willing to spend between 21 and 40 percent of their monthly income on event-led travel, with the average spend per journey estimated at ₹51,000. The appetite for global experiences is also growing, with over 40 percent open to travelling internationally for live music events.

Commenting on this shift, Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head, Airbnb India and Southeast Asia, noted that the rising interest in concerts and festivals has given rise to a new kind of traveler—one who views music as a lens through which to discover destinations. He highlighted how concert tourism is opening up neighbourhoods and communities to young travelers, creating meaningful local impact while driving demand for group-friendly stays that encourage shared experiences.

Reflecting this momentum, Airbnb has entered its first-ever global live music partnership by collaborating with Lollapalooza India. As part of the association, the platform will offer fans unique stays and experiences during the 2026 edition of the festival, scheduled to take place in Mumbai on January 24 and 25. The partnership underscores how deeply music and travel are now intertwined for Gen Z, marking a cultural shift where playlists, passports, and purpose increasingly move in sync.

Human Interest

Fifty Years, Three Continents: The Fernandes Family’s Remarkable Return to Divar

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

For the Fernandes family of St. Mathias, Divar, January 3 holds a meaning far deeper than a date on the calendar. It is a marker of movement, memory, and a lifelong commitment to Goa’s cultural soul. The day is the birthday of Genevieve Fernandes, the eldest daughter of family matriarch Antonetta Fernandes, and it also commemorates January 3, 1976—the day Antonetta travelled from Santa Cruz airport in Bombay to London with her six children to join her husband, the late Bernard Fernandes.

At a time when overseas migration meant uncertainty and sacrifice, Antonetta’s decision required courage and resolve. This, however, was not her first transcontinental journey. Nearly a decade earlier, in 1967, she had sailed from Mombasa, Kenya, to Marmagao, Goa, navigating life across continents long before such mobility became common among Goan families.

The family later settled in Leicester in the United Kingdom, where Antonetta raised six children while remaining deeply connected to the Goan diaspora. She was actively involved in organising tiatr performances and cultural programmes, and ensured her children participated in the Scouts and Guides movement, grounding them in discipline, service, and cultural pride.

Recalling those years, her eldest son Marius Fernandes speaks of values passed down quietly but firmly. He remembers his mother insisting that wherever one lives, one must give something back—especially one’s culture. Even far from Goa, the family was never allowed to forget who they were or where they came from.

Marius went on to work with British Telecom, building a stable life in the UK, but the connection to Goa never faded. In 2000, he returned to Goa with his family, followed soon after by his parents, completing a journey that spanned Kenya, Goa, the United Kingdom, and finally, a return home.

Back in Goa, Marius Fernandes—now widely known as Festakar—channelled his global experiences into cultural action. Over the years, he has played a key role in organising 104 festivals across the state, from intimate village celebrations to large-scale cultural showcases highlighting Goan music, art, heritage, and local talent. For him, festivals were never just about size or spectacle, but about giving villages confidence, offering Goan artistes a platform, and reclaiming public spaces for culture.

Reflecting on his journey, Fernandes sees migration as deeply connected to his cultural mission. Living abroad, he says, teaches one the true value of what was left behind. Returning to Goa was not about slowing down but about responsibility—towards people, culture, and community.

At the heart of this story stands 94-year-old Antonetta Fernandes, whose quiet strength shaped the lives of her children. Looking back at her extraordinary journey today, her words remain simple and deeply Goan. She speaks of celebrating the move to the UK, but more importantly, of celebrating the return to Goa to live a sussegado life.

Fifty years on, the Fernandes family story is not just about migration across continents. It is about adaptability, cultural continuity, and the enduring idea of home—proof that no matter how far one travels, some journeys are always meant to end where they began.

Events in Goa

Raponkarancho Sea Food Festival 2025 Opens at Arambol, Celebrating Goa’s Coastal Heritage

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Arambol came alive with aromas of fresh seafood, lively music, and vibrant coastal traditions as Day 1 of the Raponkarancho Sea Food Festival 2025 unfolded, setting a festive tone for the days ahead. The festival offered a heartfelt tribute to Goa’s maritime heritage, blending culinary excellence with cultural expression and community participation.

The festival was formally inaugurated in the presence of Hon’ble MLA Shri Jit Arolkar and Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik, along with Shri Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager (Marketing), GTDC, and other dignitaries and community representatives. Their presence marked the beginning of a celebration deeply rooted in Goa’s coastal identity and fishing traditions.

Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte emphasised the importance of such festivals in preserving traditional livelihoods and cultural practices. He noted that the Raponkarancho Sea Food Festival plays a crucial role in safeguarding Goa’s fishing heritage and culinary legacy, while also strengthening community-led tourism that reflects the state’s authentic character.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik echoed these sentiments, highlighting that the festival serves as a platform to bring fishing communities, local cuisine, and cultural traditions together. He underlined that initiatives like these promote experiential tourism while ensuring that local communities remain central to tourism development in Goa.

Visitors were treated to a diverse spread of traditional seafood preparations, thoughtfully curated by local fishermen and culinary experts. Each dish reflected the flavours of coastal Goa, offering an authentic gastronomic experience rooted in age-old recipes and fresh local produce.

Adding to the festive ambience were live cultural performances that showcased Goa’s rich artistic traditions, creating an immersive experience for both locals and tourists. Music, dance, and community interaction transformed the venue into a lively celebration of coastal life.

The Raponkarancho Sea Food Festival 2025 stands as a vibrant celebration of Goa’s coastal traditions, community spirit, and culinary richness. As the festival continues over the coming days, it promises more flavours, performances, and experiences that reinforce Goa’s vision of sustainable and community-driven tourism.