A record participation of 83 vintage cars, 40 vintage bikes set the streets of Panaji, Goa.
Buoyed by a large turnout at the 'Vintage Bike and Car Festival' in Panaji, the Goa Tourism Department has decided to make it an annual feature on its event calender, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said.
Goa Tourism Development Corporation Limited (GTDC) had organized the Vintage Bike and Car festival 2016 on Sunday which received overwhelming response.
"It is overwhelming to see such a huge participation at the festival. It will be an annual event that will boost tourism in Goa," Mr Parulekar told the gathering of car and bike enthusiasts during the event.
He said such unique events in the state will promote tourism and the Vintage Bike and Car festival will help boost heritage tourism in a "big way".
A record participation of 83 vintage cars and 40 vintage bikes set the streets of the capital city roaring as the vintage automobiles made their way down memory lanes on a two-hour long rally.
People lined up the rally route and cheered as the convoy of vintage vehicles drove past.
GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral said the corporation is elated by the success of the Vintage Bike and Car festival 2016 and the participation has been better than expected.
"I have to thank all those who worked hard to make this event a memorable one and we will definitely see that this festival continues as an annual festival and be a part of the tourism calendar," he said.
During the festival, Vintage bikes and cars were on display at the INOX Courtyard where thousands of tourists and locals viewed some of the oldest and grandest automobiles dated from 1921 to 1970.
Vintage bike and car owners travelled distances with their vehicles to partake in the day-long event and have appealed to Goa Tourism to organize the event annually.
The festival saw in attendance automobile dealers, vintage car curators, media from leading automobile magazines, publications, electronic media and key persons from the travel and tourism industry.
Krishnakant Kamat, a car and bike enthusiast who was instrumental in helping GTDC to put this event together, said, "I wish people who have these previous beauties will start restoring them and hope they will participate in events in future".
GTDC official Anil Dalal said this event was a mega hit. "This festival gave an opportunity to vintage car and bike enthusiasts and owners to showcase their hidden treasures. Such events will definitely boost heritage tourism in a big way."