GTDC to celebrate Sao Joao on Santa Monica

Posted on June 17, 2016 by crtgoa9020

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/GTDC-to-celebrate-Sao-Joao-on-Santa-Monica/articleshow/52787270.cms

As Goa reverberates to the sound of the rain , Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is set to celebrate Sao Joao on June 24, one of the most popular monsoon festivals in the state.

Sao Joao is the feast of St John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus Christ who also baptized Jesus in River Jordan. According to the biblical story, Mary, the mother of God broke the news to her sister Elizabeth that she was going to have a baby named Jesus. At that time Elizabeth was pregnant with John, who jumped with joy in Elizabeth’s womb on hearing the news. Hence, Sao Joao marks the event of ‘the leap of joy’ wherein young men and boys jump into wells and water bodies shouting ‘Viva Sao Joao’.

To mark this occasion, GTDC is set to give tourists a taste of the traditions behind Sao Joao on board the cruize boat Santa Monica in Panaji from 10am to 3pm.

GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral said, “This year too, the celebration promises to be exciting and fun-filled and with the monsoons in full gusto, the Sao Joao event organized by GTDC is set for an overwhelming response.”

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Summer arrivals bring hope to tourism

Posted on June 16, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Its about time the government starts to focus less on beach tourism and focus more on alternative touristic getaways

 

 

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Chapora project will bring jobs: Parsekar

Posted on June 15, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Yes Mr.Chief Minister… it will …it will bring jobs like that of sweepers and gardeners or that of ice cream sellers probably !

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Chapora-project-will-bring-jobs-Parsekar/articleshow/52753945.cms

Reacting to the ongoing opposition to the Chapora riverfront development project, chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar supported the project stating that it will generate self-employment, service and will get high end tourist in the state.

Under the Chapore riverfront development projects seven places are propose to develop for tourism activities

Speaking to mediperson, Parsekar said that this project is only one paper and he has asked the consultant to show the project report and explain to the people of concern villagers. “I have propose this project,” he added.

In view of the international airport, he wanted to develop some tourism project in Pernem taluka so that tourist can stay in Pernem taluka. He also said that the project report has been shown to concern panchayat members and zilla panchayat members and they appreciated the project. “We have not impose this project on anyone,” he added

He also said that government will not acquire land for the project but the investors have to buy the land or take the landowner as partner in the project. He also said if a person want to sale a land to the investors then he should buy as per the price demanded by the land owner.

Consultant has informed the government that investors are ready to invest in all seven places. “If any one ask me I will advise them not to sale their land but partner with the investor,” Parsekar said further that this project will give an opportunity to tourist to extend their stay in the state.

In view of Mopa airport we have to create more tourist destination in the state, Parsekar said that tourist destination should be develop in hinterland and not in costal belts.

 

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GRE, NFF oppose river projects

Posted on June 15, 2016 by crtgoa9020

This  government feels that they can even play with the environment and get away with it !    

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/GRE-NFF-oppose-river-projects/articleshow/52754011.cms

Goenchea ramponkarancho ekvott (GRE) and national fisher national fishworkers forum (NFF) has strongly opposed dredging of Mandovi and Zuari rivers and other proejcts, alleging that these will completely destroy the ecology of the state.

GRE and NFF leaders held a meeting with 13 traditional fishermen associations, presidents of various fishermen groups and cooperatives to discuss the Betul port, building of jetties and dredging recently.
The leaders alleged that marine ecology will be wiped off as all mangroves creeks, mangroves, swamps ,coral reefs etc along the bank of Mandovi and Zuari river will totally vanish and create a fish famine in the state.
The present state government and at centre is acting worse than the Portuguese government, as it is acting without any transparency to totally eliminate Goans depending on natural resource and who have traditionally inherited this occupation for centuries.
The Central government used to grabbed huge areas of land in the name of development and now are trying to capture into our rivers also where the state will not have any control on its rivers, GRE stated in a press note.
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Float on the Mandovi in 5-star comfort, soon

Posted on June 15, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Just a few days back one of the BJP’s Damu Naik spoke of his party not wanting casinos…. and then we have this announcement today !!!

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Float-on-the-Mandovi-in-5-star-comfort-soon/articleshow/52754291.cms

 

Casino Caravela, Goa’s first offshore casino, will re-enter the River Mandoviwithin a couple of days as the state’s first five-star standard floating hotel-cum-casino.In May 2013, Caravela was moved out of the River Mandovi for refurbishing. It was renamed M V Royal Flotal.

The caption of ports (CoP) has granted M V Royal Flotal permission to ply in Goan inland waters, and the ship has entered the Cumbharjua canal. Presently, the Deltin group is awaiting mooring permission before it can commence operations.

The state government has renewed Deltin Pleasure Cruise Company Private Limited‘s gaming licence. The company belongs to the Delta Group and chairman Delta Group Jaydev Mody told TOI : “We have got our gaming licence renewed and after getting all necessary permissions we will bring Casino Caravela to Britona.”

The Deltin Group said the luxury vessel has been designed to attract the “creme de la creme” high-end tourist. The aim is to give the tourism sector a major boost in terms of high-spending visitors.

Casino Caravela has a total of 8 suites, each of an average size of 500-plus square feet and equipped with all modern amenities. Additionally, there are two super-luxurious duplex suits, an open to the sky, air-conditioned restaurant on the sundeck, jacuzzi, spa and library.

Recently, the state cabinet granted Casino Caravela permission to move into the River Mandovi as the government had failed to identify an alternate location, away from the River Mandovi, for casinos to operate from.

There are four offshore casinos operating in the state of which two each belong to the Delta Group and the Pride Group. The Ashok Khetrapal-led Pride Group, in 2013, purchased Casino Carnival from V M Salgaocar and Bro Private Limited.

 

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Monsoon tourism: hotels gear up to make a splash

Posted on June 15, 2016 by crtgoa9020

This is not a bad idea…tourism is not just about the beach. It would also be good if monsoon tourism would also look at fresh green fresh spaces with rain drops …even indulging in Ayurveda which is recommended during the monsoon.

http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=18911

As monsoon sets in over Goa, hotels have begun devising strategies to attract tourists. Traditionally, monsoons are considered as lean season for the hospitality industry, but in the last few years, tourists particularly from North India have been flocking to Goa to take a break from scorching heat on their home turf.

While the first showers of monsoon are likely to hit the State any time soon, \’The Goan\’ spoke to some of the leading hotels to get a first hand view of their plans in the rains and how they have been geared up to cope up with the off-season.

Naturally, hotels are trying to make the best of this trend. Siddharth Savkur, general manager, Alila Diwa Goa in Majorda, said, “We started something called ‘Leisure Concierge Credit\’ in the month of May itself. We have a team here, which helps guests in making a plan to see Goa beyond the hotel.”

Savkur added, “The charge for this service is built in the package cost. When tourists arrive, we take them to local markets, Old Goa Churches, casinos and places like Braganza mansion.”

Savkur also said that older holiday-makers, who don’t have school going children, prefer coming to Goa during monsoons. Younger couples with school-going kids find it a little difficult to visit Goa in the monsoons as schools re-open in June in several parts of the country.

Manuj Behal, general manager, Radisson hotel in Candolim, said, “Lot of tourists visit us in monsoon especially from Delhi and other parts of North-India to escape the scorching heat. Considering that a lot of people come to Goa from North, we offer things like pakoda with cutting chai in our menu.”

Behal said he was expecting 80% occupancy this month, which is higher than previous years. But, he continued, “The problem is the tariffs are 40% down in June compared to the peak time of December and January. However, we end up making profits despite low tariffs in monsoon.”

– See more at: http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=18911#sthash.n7rShh7G.dpuf

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