Just came across this story... sounds quite bizarre! FN http://www.expresstravelworld.com/200609/gogoa36503.shtml Goa tourism to have artificial showers on cruise vessel
ETW Staff - Goa With unpredictable rains threatening to play spoilsport, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) hit upon a novel idea of having artificial showers onboard its river cruise vessel, Santa Monica, to celebrate the annual rural feast of Sao Joao. The feast is celebrated with joy and mirth with young and old, wearing crowns locally known as copels of tender coconut leaves, jumping into swollen wells to commemorate Saint John, the Baptist's 'leap of joy' in his mother Elizabeth's womb, when her cousin 'Mother Mary', greeted her. GTDC chairperson Fatima D' Sa said, "Monsoon season being the festive season in Goa, as a part of the monsoon promotional campaign to popularise local festivals, GTDC is organising a day-long cruise on board Santa Monica on the occasion of Sao Joao." The cruise has been planned with a number of programmes including dance and music for the whole day. "There will be prizes for those who participate in Splash Dance, Lime Dance and Coconut Dance," said D' Sa. The added attraction will be local folk dances. The GTDC has unveiled several packages to attract tourists during off-season, which is valid from June 16 to September 30, 2006. Packed with discounts and add-ons, the packages play a good role in keeping the economics of the tourism industry going, during the off-season. D'Sa said the GTDC achieved a turnover of Rs 12.5 crore and a net profit of Rs 1.7 crore during the last financial year. The GTDC has 704 rooms at its disposal in various areas across the state, of which 175 are at prime beach locations. -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frederick Noronha http://fn.goa-india.org 9822122436 +91-832-240-9490 http://fredericknoronha.wordpress.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/ _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
