Tourism dept to spend Rs 1.5cr on 4-day Carnival

Panaji: The tourism department has announced an outlay of Rs 1.5 crore for the Goa Carnival 2026, with Rs 48 lakh dedicated to prize money aimed at boosting participation and creativity, and Rs 1 crore allocated for infrastructure and logistics across various locations.Specific allocations include Rs 19 lakh for Porvorim and Rs 16 lakh for Morjim, while Panaji, Margao, Vasco, and Mapusa will share Rs 29.4 lakh for prize money and infrastructure improvements. Kuldeep Arolkar, managing director of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, emphasised the importance of ensuring quality, safety, and a memorable experience for visitors across all sites.The Carnival will begin on Feb 14 with a flag-off ceremony for the parade, and a pre-event curtain raiser is scheduled for Feb 13 in Porvorim.

Subsequent celebrations will occur in Margao on Feb 15, Vasco on Feb 16, and culminate with grand festivities in Mapusa and Morjim on Feb 17.Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte highlighted the goal of promoting community engagement while providing visitors with an authentic Goan experience, reinforcing their commitment to responsible and regenerative tourism that honours local traditions and protects the environment.