Nagao Beach in the Union Territory of Diu is fast replacing Goa as the sought after holiday destination for the well-off Gujaratis. The contributing factors being specifically, its pristine beaches, historic forts and museums, religious places, and above all its location as the nearest non-dry zone for Saurashtra

Located on the periphery of Junagadh district, this town with a 21 kilometres long coastline is always eager to welcome tourists, which soars to nearly three times its own population.

"The population of Diu is around 14,000. During the last three days of the year —between December 29 and 31, around 40,000 tourists are expected," said Gopal Devani, information officer with Diu Tourism. "The number has been increasing with each passing year," he said.

This is the time of the year in Saurashtra, where tourism takes precedence in this otherwise predominantly agricultural, industrial based economy. A mad rush is expected in the tourist circuit of Sasan (home to the Asiatic lion), Junagadh, and places of pilgrimage, such as Somnath and Dwarka, which together with Diu, completes a triangular circuit.

But those who have not reserved their bookings at the hotel should be ready for some adventure (spending the night either on the beach or in their cars). According to the Diu Hotel Industry, there are 34 hotels in the town, including three-stars, and all of which are booked to capacity. Even getting a single room, a week before year-end, at the community guesthouse is pretty difficult, they say.

"All the 23 rooms at our hotel are being booked for the last three days of the year. Booking formalities were done as early as from the first week of December. With a heavy heart, we have to say no to potential customers now,'' said Rupesh Mehta, general manager of Suzlon Beach Resort.

Some other hotels have made makeshift arrangements adjacent to the main hotel to accommodate the extra customers likely to throng this town in the next few days. Hotel Apna will run two restaurants with a total capacity of 200 people for the three days.

It is but natural, that room tariffs have also skyrocketed now. Rooms, which were earlier available for Rs 500-600, now command something between Rs 1,500 - 2,500 per day.

As such, many tourists have made arrangements in nearby towns like Una, which is barely 10 kilometres away from Diu. While several others plan to stay out in the open, for which the administration has also made adequate arrangements.

"With many tourists unlikely to get accommodation, it's expected that they would spend nights out in the open in cars on the five-kilometer stretch of Nagoa beach. Adequate parking arrangements have been made alongside this stretch for the convenience of the tourists," said an official with the tourism department.

According to the official, the non-dry zone, attractions like water sports, parasailing, water scooter, speed boats and ferry would only make the holiday more memorable.

But tourists have their own reasons to love Diu. If for the youngsters it's a best place to party and unwind, then for the elderly, it's the perfect getaway for a cosy, quite family vacation at the end of the year.