GOA OVERTAKES KERALA

International travel magazine Conde Nast has chosen Goa as the best leisure destination in the country overtaking Kerala. The erstwhile Portuguese colony was awarded as the best leisure destination by the Conde Nast Traveller India's Readers' travel awards, a statement from the Goa Tourism issued today said. The award comes after the state, famous for its beaches, watersports, offshore gambling and cheap alcohol, reported a 10 per cent rise in tourist arrivals, the statement said. With safety of women being a concern, the Goa Tourism said the BJP-governed state has resolved to fight the menace and will be introducing women taxi drivers during the peak arrival season which is set to begin soon. The women taxi services will be available in the capital Panjim, and other major cities like Margao, Mapusa and Vasco, exclusively for women passengers and families, it said. The tourism season in the state will start with upcoming Feast of St Francis Xavier that will be celebrated at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa on December 3, it said.