November 2014
St Francis Xavier Exposition begins in Goa Thousands of devotees thronged old Goa to witness the decennial exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier, which commenced on 22nd November, 2014 and ends on January 4th, 2015. The relics of St Francis Xavier (SFX) were taken into procession from Bom Jesus of Basilica church, where they are housed permanently, to the nearby Se Cathedral church. The relics would be kept in open for veneration till January 4, 2015. Goa voted ‘Favourite Leisure Destination’ at Readers’ Travel Awards Goa bagged yet another honour when it was voted ‘Favourite Leisure Destination – India’ at the Readers’ Travel Awards organized by Condé Nast Traveller India. The awards were announced and given away at a glittering ceremony in New Delhi last evening. Hon. Minister of Tourism, Govt. of Goa, Shri Dilip Parulekar received the award from Ms. Divia Thani Daswani, Editor, Condé Nast Traveller India. The Chief Guest for the evening was Dr. Lalit K Panwar, Honorable Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Mr. Nicholas Coleridge, President, Condé Nast International, was also present at the event. GTDC gives children affected with cancer a memorable holiday Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) played host to 40 children affected with cancer and undergoing treatment in Mumbai, providing them with a three-day fun-filled holiday along with their parents and doctors here in Goa. Goa to issue Visa-on-Arrival at Dabolim Airport Getting to Goa is going to be easier for foreign tourists as the Central government has finally launched the much awaited Visa-on-Arrival facility today extending this to 43 countries. Goa Dabolim Airport is one of the nine airports in India which has been included in the list for providing the facility. Goan food stall ‘Incrivel Goa’ opened at Dilli Haat Delhiites can now sample authentic Goan dishes at Incrivel Goa, a food stall which was inaugurated on 25th November at Dilli Haat (opposite INA market), Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi. Goa Tourism participates at the World Travel Market, London – November 3rd to 6th, 2014 Goa Tourism participated in the World Travel Market, London for the 2nd time in a row. This year, while Goa was popularized as a year-round attractive vacation destination, the focus was on Upcoming Festivals and Events including Goa Carnival, Grape Escapade, Heritage Festival, Christmas and New Year among others, Goa as a Wedding destination, Heritage, Cultural, Wellness and Medical Tourism in Goa, Adventure Sports & Activities, hinterland and nature of Goa. Cruise liner at Mormugao harbour brings cheer to tourism On 21st November, Goa Tourism welcomed the first passenger cruise vessel, M V AIDAsol, which arrived at MPT. The vessel had on board 2,192 passengers and docked at the Port at 9.00 am to an arousing reception organized by Goa Tourism. M V AIDAsol is the first vessel arriving in Goa for the tourism season 2014-15.
