Goa Tourism
Goa which was liberated on 19th December, 1961 along Daman and Diu from
451 years Portuguese Colonial Rule, became the 25th State of the Indian
Union when it was conferred Statehood on 30th May, 1987.
The State of Goa has a Legislative Assembly with a strength of 40 elected
members. Besides, Goa has three elected representatives in the Central Parliament.
The Governor is the Head of the State and is advised by a Council of Ministers
headed by Chief Minister.
Panaji, a small picturesque town on the left bank of river Mandovi, is the
seat of the State Administration. However, for administrative purposes,
the State has been divided into two districts: North Goa and South Goa with
headquarters at Panaji and Margao respectively, and six divisions comprising
11 Talukas.
Ensconced on the slopes of the Western ghats (Sahyadri ranges) Goa is bounded
on the North by Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, on the East by Belgaum,
on the South by Karwar district of Kamataka and on the West by Arabian Sea.
Its rivers, Tiracol,Chapora, Mandovi, Zuari, Sal and Talpona, which are
navigable throughout the year, have their origin in the Sahyadri ranges
and flow westward into the Arabian Sea, 60 kms. away, breaking the long
coast line covering a length of 105 kms. into enchanting estuaries and bays
which mark off idyllic palm-fringed beaches like Arambol, Vagator,Atijuna,
Baga and Calangute in the North and Colva. Betui and Palolem in the South.

Goa, a tiny emerald land on the West Coast of India, with its natural scenic
beauty, attractive beaches and temples famous for its architecture, feasts
and festivals and above all hospitablepeople with a rich cultural milieu,
has an ideal tourist profile.
Although, Goa joined national mainstream only after 14-years of the country's
independence, tourist traffic to Goa registered such phenomenal growth that
from 2.00 lakhs tourists in 1975 the figure has shot up to 11.26 lakhs in
1996 of which domestic tourists comprise 8.88 lakhs and foreigners account
for 2.37 lakhs including almost 73,000 through charter flights from U.K.
Germany. Switzerland, Finland. As on today, the total bed capacity stands
at 21,000 beds, of which the public sector account for 10% with the rest
in the private sector. With the projected rise in tourist traffic to 14
lakhs by the turn of century, the bed capacity would require further augmentation
of at least 20 thousand.
Goa's income from Tourism in terms of foreign exchange earned, the figures
have gone up from Rs.32.64 crores in 1986-87 to Rs.194 60 crores in 1994-95
which represents a steady rise of about 25% every year in the State 20%
of its population earn their livelihood directly and indirectly, form tourism
activities.
Conscious of preservation and conservation of environment, ecology and arrchitecture,
the State Government had decided that no construction or development shall
be permitted on the sandy stretches with 200 meters of High Tide Line in
general.Further, such

development is subject to the restrictions laid down
by the Government of India under the Environment Protection Act and Regulations.
How to Reach Goa
By Air: Goa is connected by Indian Airlines & Alliance Air
from
Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi and Agatti.
By Rail: Goa is connected with Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Secunderabad,
Tirupati via Londa junction on the Mirage-Bangalore sector of south central
railway, and to Mumbai, and Mangalore on the Konkan Railway Corporation
section. Convenient stations are Margao/Vasco and Karmali.
Goa Tourism, West India Destinations
Reservation Form