GOA

The state of Goa is located in the western coast of India is most popular tourist destination among all tourists’ weather domestic tourist or international tourist. Indian tourist visit Goa in summer and monsoon seasons, while foreign tourist visits in winter. Recently data released by the Ministry of Tourism shows that Goa hosted 10% of all foreign tourist arrivals in the country in 2012. Once ruled by Portuguese, Goa has an influence of Portuguese culture and this make it different from other states of India and formed prime base for foreign tourist attraction. Major tourist attraction of Goa includes: Beaches, Churches, Wildlife Sanctuary, Waterfall and Lakes. UNESCO an UN agency has listed some of the Goa churches under World Heritage Site.

Important Tourist Destination

Beaches

Goa is famous among tourist for Beaches and most of the tourist visit Goa only to spend their leisure time on Beaches.  Beaches in Goa divided between north and south. North Goa has abundance of tourist, because of the low and medium budget accommodations. Where the south Goa is famous for expensive hotels and private beaches. The most visited beaches in Goa is Palolem Beach, it has a feature of basic accommodation. The other important beaches in Goa are Colva, Calangute, Baga and Anjuna. These beaches are surrounded by petty food stall which provides fresh sea food and drinks.

Wildlife

Goa is among the six states which fall under Western Ghat, due to this Goa has rich Bio-diversity in term of forest, animals, birds, and flora-fauna. In the forest of Goa you can find species which has declared as endangered species by the IUCN for example Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. The forest of Goa is also famous for migratory birds, every year goa’s forest witness a number of birds who migrated from all around the world, most importantly from Australia, Sri Lanka and from North Western frontier Pakistan. Watching a new birds is really an interesting thing, everyone want to see those things which he/she have not seen earlier. A number of international bird watching tour also organized.

Goa also has a number of Wildlife Sanctuary which is an attraction centre for tourists. The most famous Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa are: Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.

Church

As we know that Goa was colony of Portuguese, they ruled Goa about 450 years. During their ruling in Goa they developed various Churches, some of these Churches latter listed by UNESCO in their World Heritage Site.  Building of Churches was one of the main occupations of the early Portuguese. The Churches which was made by the Portuguese has a unique feature of Architect, which attract foreign and domestic tourist.   

As we know that Goa has influence of Portuguese, there influence can also see on religion .Due to this Goa have a significant number of people who have faith in Christianity or who worshiped Christianity. With a significant population of Goans have faith in Christianity, the Church play important role in Goa’s social, cultural and religious life.