Religious tourism to be advertised through in-flight magazines abroad two international airlines – Swiss Air and Singapore Airlines and through road shows in Spain, Europe and Lusofonia countries
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: In line with its strategy to promote religious tourism in Goa, Tourism department has decided to advertise the forthcoming decennial Exposition of St Francis Xavier in in-flight magazines aboard two international airlines to target potential foreign visitors.
Sources said the government is planning to tie up with Swiss and Singapore International Airlines for this project.
“We are targeting lakhs of pilgrims through this large scale publicity. Details of the Exposition along with the photographs will be reflected in the two airlines’ in-flight magazines, besides other facts of Goa tourism,” an official told Herald.
This is in addition to Goa government’s request to Tourism Ministry last month to offer its partial financial assistance to bring in large number of visitors from Spain, Europe and Lusofonia countries. The Tourism department has estimated an amount of Rs 4 crore for the road shows across these countries.
Union Tourism Minister Shripad Naik had thereafter asked the State to put up a proposal for funds while announcing a slew of measures to boost tourism in view of promotion of religious tourism event.
The Exposition of sacred relics of St Francis Xavier will be from November 22, 2014 to January 4, 2015. “In conformity with a long standing practice, followed in this Archdiocese of holding solemn Exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier every 10 years, we determine that the solemn Exposition be held in 2014, beginning on November 22 and end on January 4, 2015,” a press released by Goa Archdiocese said.
