Home

Back to Index

Tourism Day for children in Goa

     Panjim (Goa): Differently-abled children were the special guests at a cruise specially arranged for them in Goa by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) on the World Tourism Day. GTDC Chairperson Fatima De Sa said: "GTDC thought of starting the World Tourism Day with a treat for the special children. Whenever tourists come to Goa, especially the elite group, everybody runs, pamper themselves. But these special children... nobody thinks of them". Chaperoned by their teachers, around two hundred children danced to the beats of Bollywood music. "I am very happy to see all dancing and singing. I am also enjoying myself." Phulrani Kinlekar, a physically challenged girl, said. The World Tourism Day gave a welcome respite from the day-to-day struggles for the not-so-fortunate kids. This humane gesture by the Goa tourism department touched the hearts of the parents of the disabled kids. "I feel very happy because these children are special children and they require some entertainment or something. And it is very nice that the Goa Tourism Development Corporation has organised such a program for these little underprivileged children," Neolyn Afonso, mother of a special child said.

      Goa, famous for its sun-kissed beaches and abundant greenery, attract foreign tourists in droves and the Goa tourism industry extends a warm welcome to them. According to the government officials, about two percent of the population have physical or sensory disabilities that include visual, speech, hearing and movement. But critics say the number could be more due to missing census figures. Tourist arrivals in India rose by 10.5 percent in August from a year ago, boosting foreign exchange earnings from the sector by 4.9 percent to 456.76 million dollars, the government said on Wednesday. It said 299,211 visitors travelled to India in August, compared with 270,779 in the same month last year. So far, 27,85,328 foreign tourists have visited India since January 2006 as against 24,54,352 during the same period last year. Known for such attractions as the Taj Mahal, India has been running a campaign to woo tourists to its grand palaces, golden beaches, ancient temples and wildlife sanctuaries.
-Sept 28,  2006

Leading Indian News Papers

Overseas Tourist
Offices

Tourist offices
in India

Helpline