Goa: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:33, 2 February 2005

Revision as of 01:40, 2 February 2005

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==Tourism==

Pristine beaches are what most tourists come to Goa to enjoy. 4 [[lakh]] (400,000) foreign and 16 lakh (1.6 million) domestic tourists visit Goa annually. Domestic tourists arrive mostly in the summer, [[Diwali]] and [[Christmas]] holidays. World heritage architecture is another tourist attraction with many coming to see the ''Bom Jezu'' Basilica which houses the embalmed remains of St. [[Francis Xavier]]. Once every decade, thousands visit Goa during the [[Exposition of St Francis Xavier]], when the body is taken down for veneration. The 'exposition' is currently in progress. In addition, many tourists also take in sights of famous temples such as the [[Mangueshi Temple]]. During the lean seasons of the monsoons, tourists also visit to take in the lush sylvan salubrious surroundings. Goa also has many famous [[National Parks]], including the renowned [[Salim Ali]] bird sanctuary.The Western Ghats have been internationally recognised as one of the ‘biodiversity‘[[biodiversity hotspots’hotspot]]s’ of the world. This emerald wonderland was compared by the[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic Magazine]] (February 1999) with the Amazon and Congo basins. On June 2, 1999, Goa legally protected some of its most valuable Western Ghats’ forests by declaring them as sanctuaries under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

Goa has a number of excellent hotels and resorts. Friendly hotel staff take care of tourist needs. Restaurant cheffs are equally adept at western and Indian cuisine.