The answer to do the Goan's love Goa is in Noni's earlier post of the letter from Trevor Cox. The condition of the beaches when the non Indian tourists are not there shows just how little they care. I arrived in October last year before most of the shacks were up and running and the amount of rubbish on the beach at Baga was dreadfull. After a few minutes I left and did not go back to the beach for about 3 weeks by which time the beach had been cleaned up as the tourist flights had started. As for Maclean Cordeiro's comments on Goan's doing 'menial' jobs outside Goa there is a Goan in our local petrol station working as a cashier and another Goan was working as a cleaner in the offices where I used to work.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=26967&cid=26

And you thought Goa couldnt get any worse?

Now will we see hordes of Americans (with their unique 10 year visas) going "Oh Gee! Aint this little place cute?"

The flights are not that cheap by the time the taxes are added and besides which most Americans are extremely insular, do not travel outside the states and will have no idea where India is and if they do the Mumbai terrorists will frighten them off. Those that do travel come to the UK and complain about the facilities, travel around Europe complaining about the toilets and the smells and stay mostly in 5 star hotels. I can not see them troubling me much as I rarely go near 5 star hotels and the only visit the tourist sites (like Old Goa) when we have friends out who have not visited Goa before. Jealous about the 10 year visa though.

The last time they got St Francis Xavier, patron saint of prunes, down for a public showing the place was heaving with Yanks, plenty of Catholics there I guess (Americanism!).
Quite a lot around most of the time, spose it depends on the circles you move in, and whether you are basically a tweeker or live there?

I was there and saw St Francis Xavier but did not notice lots of Americans. I have met a Canadian who spends the winter in Goa but only one. I will have to pay more attention when I am out and about this winter. I will be there from October to March (subject to getting a visa)

From to-day's Herald

Hypocritical attitudes
Jeremy Reynolds, London
I read with great incredulity and annoyance the well-written and informative article ‘G’bye Goa: Goans Worldwide’ by Valmiki Faleiro (Herald Mirror, 6 Sep).
It always amazes me that Goans appear to be able to settle peacefully in whichever country they choose worldwide, and seem to prosper and enjoy all the benefits of those chosen countries. Yet we have so many articles and letters from Goans both abroad and in Goa, expressing their total intolerance of foreigners wishing to settle in Goa and purchase a property, thus contributing to the Goan/Indian economy and taking nothing from it.
So many expat Goans around the world are quick to express horror that their homeland is losing its identity, and they are quick to blame the influx of foreigners. Yet many of them have themselves turned their backs on their homeland to enjoy better living standards in other countries. What a hypocritical attitude and what double standards!
For those people who are still willing to spend their hard-earned money in Goa, and who might still wish to spend their retirement years here, surely it is time that the Goans changed their attitudes and remember how other countries welcome them and offer them a multitude of opportunities.
The image of Goa as a friendly all-welcoming paradise is fast becoming a myth, and this could only lead to more adverse publicity and anti-Goa feeling.

From what genuine Goans have told me: a) control of the State and businesses is not in Goan hands any longer. (b) Goa is viewed as a place to make lots of money because it was "untouched" until recently, with bad planning and opportunism. (c) as with all tourist destinations all over the world, 'development' is geared towards catering to the needs of temporary residents to the detriment of the indigenous people. (d) for example in yesterdays Herald, N Kamat wrote about restaurants and other establishments actively barring Goans from their businesses. (e) Not even a decade ago, Goans expressed pride in the fact that Brit expats lived in Goa as permanent residents. (f) In that decade, control of the various money making arms has changed and now the values have changed too.(g) with it so has the courage and ability of genuine Goans. The Goan spirit is wilting rapidly as it bears witness to this unfettered pillage, and doubly so as it seems to be a global phenomenon eg Lehmans, BOS etc. It seems that everyone is looking out for themselves only and damn those that should be a part of the joy.

Hi,

Just saw on Goan Voice, that the case of UK National who has had his PIO revoked in Goa is now being heard. I just wonder what everyone thinks about the Govt. case which argues that FNs are not entitled to fundemental rights. I already guessed that, but think it really scary that the Govt. are putting this argument to the supreme Court

r

From the Daily Mail


Goa is ‘clean, cheap and cheerful’
Posted 08 Sep 2009

People trekking around on their gap year in India may like to take in the myriad delights of Goa while they are away, it has been suggested.

According to the Daily Mail, Goa can be a really cheap destination where a evening meal for two with wine can amount to just over £10.

The surroundings are idyllic and restful and "the beaches are as clean as they have been for several decades following a local government clampdown," the newspaper explains.

Those on a gap year in India who decide to use the hub as a point of entry into the country only have a seven-hour flight ahead of them, it adds.

One famous face who loves all that India has to offer is Jode Kidd. She told the Telegraph last month that her favourite travel destination is India, with its "whirls of noise and smells" and "hordes of people at bustling markets

From Nav times

Front PageNewsGoa NewsIndia NewsWorld NewsOpinionsBusiness NewsSports NewsBuzzMultimedia
Tourism dept plans to lure more tourists to state
Written by MICHAEL FISHER
Sunday, 13 September 2009 00:48
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PANAJI: The Goa Department of Tourism has started working on a overdrive mode to lure tourists from all over the world. It has called for quotations from five TV channels which include the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Zee TV.
And modalities are being worked out for shifting the entire office from Patto to Britona by October–November to kick start the paradigm of its tourism infrastructure projects, which cost over Rs 70 crore.

“From October to December, the TV channels, possibly BBC, will broadcast the latest jingle `Go Goa A Perfect Holiday’,” Tourism Director, Mr Swapnil Naik told ‘The Navhind Times’, late Friday evening.
Mr Naik said that the Goa government has approved the beach safety management schemes and has sanctioned Rs 17 crore for the second phase of implementation and upgradation of safety features.
“For this, tenders will be floated by mid-September for installing cameras, beach shades (covers), beach towers, stretchers, speed crafts, jets, and a host of other relevant safety features. Though the scheme covers the whole of Goan beaches, initially, most frequented beaches that is from Velsao to Benaulim and from Baga to Sequerim, the schemes will be implemented,” he informed.
For keeping the beach clean, a garbage clause has also been included in the shack policy. The present office at Patto will be shifted to Briton from October. The shifting and the tender floatation is being looked after by a committee set up by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.
According to sources close to the projects, come October will see a rush of tender announcement for selective infrastructure tourism work starting with the construction of the multiplex car park, the five floor tourism signature building. The Monica jetty area is likely to be converted into a mini harbour with 12 jetties to cater to various sizes of cruise ships. For the three projects the scope of work is schedule to be completed within two years.
Amidst the crises and gloom in the world economic situation, Mr Naik quotes WTO’s 2008 report that tourism accounted one of every 10 jobs and 11 per cent of consumer spending. Tourism arrivals totaled 924 million, a growth of two per cent over 2007. In 2009, WTO projects either a modest growth or the same.

Following on from Noni's post above;
http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-...rists-to-state
is the whole article.
I find it depressing that these overpaid idiots do not even know that the BBC do not carry advertising and thus the likelihood of the "Pro-a Goa" jingle being heard during Far-Eastenders is about zero................

http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-...00-this-season

Another drop in this seasons tourists to Goa

From The Herald letters today - Ze Final Solution ?


"There is a beautiful solution for Panjim garbage. If PMC is going to acquire the big plot of land behind the petrol pump at the Panjim bus stand, it would have been ideal if a very high strong concrete wall were built around this place at the first stage, and then all the debris and dry garbage, excluding paper and plastic, were allowed to be dumped inside it. It would take quite a many years to be filled.
Once it is filled and well settled, a beautiful garden could be planned there, so that the people, especially the tourists, could relax, enjoying the beautiful view"

Ah well I suppose thats one way to get rid of us with noxious gases,toxicity rats etc... anyone for a trip around Auschwitz gardens ?

...............:rofl :

http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-...ee-bleakseason