Goa emerging as an alternative to south-east Asian beaches:
Panjim, Dec 28, 2004: Goa was now emerging as an alternative destination to the south-east Asian beaches that were hit by tsunami disaster, the state government said today, allaying fears that tourists were fleeing the beach paradise. "Goa is absolutely safe. No tourist has left due to fear of tidal waves. In fact, we are receiving many inquiries from tour operators who were supposed to take charters to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia," Tourism Minister, Mathany Saldanha told reporters here. "We also protest against the advisory issued by the World Tourism Organisation, that has asked travellers not to visit India. They must realise that India is a vast country and most parts of the country are safe. We demand that they withdraw the advisory immediately", Saldanha said. Earlier, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had said, "Goa is a very safe place. We are neither in a seismic zone nor are we prone to storms and cyclones. We were the first state to react after the tragedy, issuing ban on waterfront activity and setting up a helpline. There is no need to panic". "As of now we have 35,000 tourists in Goa on any given day. We have a total bed capacity of 35,000 and there is 100 per cent occupancy. I have spoken to all top hotels and tour operators and they have assured me that there is no panic among the tourists", he added. "We expect 40 per cent increase in both domestic as well as foreign tourists to Goa this year. All hotels are booked and although we are getting inquiries from top operators, we may not be able to meet their demands as there is no place in hotels". He added. PTI ===== Season's Greetings from Gulf Goans e-Newsletter. Moderator: Gaspar Almeida Presented by Ulysses Menezes www.goa-world.com/goa/ since 1994 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/0FHolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> http://www.goa-world.com http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Live Konkani Music http://www.mahableshwar.com/ Addresses: Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL to this page: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
