Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: Minister Aleixo Sequeira today informed that SFX Exposition pilgrimage crossed 75 lakh visitors.
According to Minister Aleixo Sequeira, the numbers are expected to exceed 80 lakh by the end of the event.
As of earlier this week, the number of pilgrims who have come to witness the ongoing display of St. Francis Xavier’s relics has reached an astounding 75 lakh. By the end of the event, Minister Aleixo Sequeira said, the numbers should surpass 80 lakh.
Sequeira emphasised the spontaneous nature of the turnout by saying, “There was no target as such, but we worked on an estimate that would be around 80 lakh visitors.”
Although the goals are set, we need to be able to meet them. We would have to ask everyone to join us in order to reach the goal if we had to set one. Therefore, no target was maintained.
The Christmas season and associated celebrations, which drew visitors from all over India and overseas, were credited by the minister with the increased foot traffic.
“We could see that people were travelling from all over the world, including overseas, to celebrate Christmas and other holidays,” he added
Minister said people have come for the exposition, and everything was set up to capitalise on these aspects,” he said.
Sequeira emphasised the event’s beneficial effects on Goan tourism. “I firmly believe that the exposition has greatly benefited tourism.
He acknowledged the substantial boost to local businesses and the hospitality sectors, saying, “People have travelled from abroad, stayed in hotels, and visited all parts of Goa.”
