PANAJI, Nov 12(TOI): While the state will be buzzing with cine buffs eager to catch some flicks, glamour and glitz, the main streets of Panaji and Margao will offer shopping and food festivitals for the International Film Festival of India (Iffi).

"Last year, delegates were offered special discounts at various shops in Panaji. This year, the shopping festival will be held in Panaji as well as Margao and we are also extending discounts to the public," said Goa chamber of commerce & Industry (GCCI) president Cesar Menezes while addressing a press conference in Panaji on Wednesday. GCCI, in collaboration with the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), will organize the Goa Shopping and Food Festival from November 22 until December 2.

The festival will extend to 200 shops and restaurants, 100 in either city, located on 18 June Road and M G Road in Panaji and Varde Valaulikar Marg and Isidore Baptiste Road in Margao. There will be shopping schemes, discounts, spot events, prizes, games and lucky draws.

"There will be gifts worth 20,000 to be won daily in both cities. A customer entering any of these stores or restaurants during the festival will receive a coupon which will be included in a daily draw. So each day, there will be a winner in both cities, thus acting as an incentive for the public as well as in boosting business. Besides, we are trying to get restaurants to offer special discounts between 20% and 30% during the festival," said Kirit Maganlal, chairman of GCCI's retail committee.

"This year we will cater especially to the public rather than restricting offers to delegates. Besides the discounts and offers, there will be plenty of street entertainment like caricature artists, jazz performances, jugglers, etc, while Lohia Maidan and Panjim square will host a range of cultural programmes. The streets will be lit up and decorated and we are also trying to get permission to set up food courts in certain open areas in these zones," said Maganlal.

Some shopping and food sounds like the perfect breather between flicks, so is business booming during the film fest? "Quite the contrary", said Maganlal. "Most of the buzz is created near the cinema and during those days shops are deserted even though there are many visitors in Goa. The movie schedules are rigorous leaving very little time for anything else," he said

But all is not lost. "Although we received mixed feedback from last year's shopping festival, it is safe to say that there was at least a 5% increase in business during that time as compared to previous years," he said

He later spoke about a special map being designed for the festival, highlighting the shops and restaurants that are involved. These maps will be handed to all delegates and to the public through the media and at various locations in both cities, so that the public have a handy referral.