The world is expected to come to Goa for the 18th Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier, but tourism stakeholders are not too happy as they believe there could have been a lot more footfalls had the event been better promoted.
“Unfortunately, pilgrimage tourism is not being promoted. I am no one to say why this was not done, but we have missed a lot,” says Orlando Nunes, general manager of Trail Blazers Tours, Panjim.
“St Francis Xavier is a saint venerated all over the world, and had the market been tapped, we could have seen a real peak,” he adds.
Despite there being no specific emphasis from the government to draw the crowds, some travel agencies have pitched for the exposition and are expecting the arrival of devotees arriving as Foreign Individual Tourists (FIT).
“We are expecting quite a number from Portugal, Spain and Poland. We are expecting small groups from these countries and a number of individuals making their way for the exposition,” confesses Ernest Dias, Chief Operating Officer of Sita Travels.
Though stakeholders had expected the exposition – taking place from November 21, 2024 to January 5, 2025 – to keep them on overdrive, most are now skeptical.
“Since tourism has not really bounced to the pre-Pandemic levels, we expected the authorities to make the most of the exposition and aggressively push it all over the world,” said hotelier, Savio D’Souza, from North Goa.
“As things stand, it appears the tourists who have to come, will continue and we cannot expect any walk-ins during the exposition. Anyway, the season seems to be picking up and we have to hope for the best,” admits D’Souza.
As thousands gathered in Old Goa on day 1 of the exposition, elsewhere, especially along the coast, the holiday spirit flowed seamlessly with tourists unaware of the event that opens a channel of communication between the locals and God through a saint.
“I am not aware of what you are saying. My religion is about me and God. I do not know what a saint is. It is strictly between me and God, and no one else,” shrugs Maureen, from Poland, as she walks on the shores waiting for the sun to set.
“It is nice to hear that people have faith in saints, and even better, when that faith helps them to be good. There is nothing wrong in that. It has to be appreciated because goodness is what will save us all,” observes Maureen on her first trip to India.
The exposition has, however, caught the eyes of many domestic tourists. “We have postponed our trip to Anjuna because we expect the roads to be congested today, with all heading to Old Goa,” says Veena from North India.
“I have read a little about this saint of yours online, but am not really a believer though it amuses me to see how devotion gets the best out of people. Whether one believes in God or not, the important thing is to be good or at least try to be,” reflects Veena.
With the exposition coinciding with the peak of the tourism season, the two roads may cross, but without any hindrance to both. For, in ten years, the business road will meet the road of goodness, and godliness should flow.