PANAJI
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte appealed to the people to enjoy festivals in the right spirit and in a responsible manner in the State.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Sao Joao Festival 2023 organised by the tourism department at Old Goa in the presence of Cumbharjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai, Secretary Tourism Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS and Director of Tourism Suneel Anchipaka IAS.
Stating that the tourism department is celebrating Sao Joao this year, Khaunte said: “We have already started the ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ concept and as we travel to the hinterlands, we have to start talking about the eco-tourism in the hinterlands.”
“We have been promoting Goa as a state festival but we are only talking about Shigmo and Carnival, but we have to ensure that a festival like Sao Joao is also highlighted. Goa is a State where all festivals are celebrated in true spirit, irrespective of religion, caste or creed. In Goa, it is the theme of togetherness. We go to each other’s houses to celebrate Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Christmas and Eid.”
“We expect to bring together domestic and international tourists to come to Goa, as we market these themes.”
Khaunte said efforts are being made to explore different festivals in different locations, to enable tourists enjoy Goa to the fullest.
“We had a food and cultural festival in Mandrem. We celebrated ‘spirits’ festival in Colva, Heritage festival at Saligao and one more festival in Porvorim. So, here we are with Sao Joao in Old Goa. People should enjoy festivals in the right spirit and in a responsible manner,” he said.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Sao Joao Festival 2023 organised by the tourism department at Old Goa in the presence of Cumbharjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai, Secretary Tourism Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS and Director of Tourism Suneel Anchipaka IAS.
Stating that the tourism department is celebrating Sao Joao this year, Khaunte said: “We have already started the ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ concept and as we travel to the hinterlands, we have to start talking about the eco-tourism in the hinterlands.”
“We have been promoting Goa as a state festival but we are only talking about Shigmo and Carnival, but we have to ensure that a festival like Sao Joao is also highlighted. Goa is a State where all festivals are celebrated in true spirit, irrespective of religion, caste or creed. In Goa, it is the theme of togetherness. We go to each other’s houses to celebrate Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Christmas and Eid.”
“We expect to bring together domestic and international tourists to come to Goa, as we market these themes.”
Khaunte said efforts are being made to explore different festivals in different locations, to enable tourists enjoy Goa to the fullest.
“We had a food and cultural festival in Mandrem. We celebrated ‘spirits’ festival in Colva, Heritage festival at Saligao and one more festival in Porvorim. So, here we are with Sao Joao in Old Goa. People should enjoy festivals in the right spirit and in a responsible manner,” he said.
