Goa to promote St Xavier's exposition among European tourists

PANAJI: Goa tourism department intends to promote the forthcoming decennial exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier among European visitors.

Road shows would be planned across Europe during the year to invite tourists for this unique event which is sacred in Christianity, state Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar told reporters here yesterday.

"The exposition would be held in the first week of December this year. The entire road show is budgeted at Rs 4 crore. We expect the Union Tourism Ministry to share half the expenses," he said.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Parulekar recently had a meeting with Union Tourism Minister Shripad Naik, who has now asked the state to put up a proposal asking for the funds.

Over half a lakh tourists are expected to arrive in the state exclusively to witness the decennial exposition, Parulekar said.

The relics are preserved at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a church at Old Goa, about nine kms from Panaji.

Tourism in Goa has been on the rise with 3.5 lakh tourists arriving in the state during the last financial year, the minister added.