See http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=15229&n_tit=Goa%3A+'Ya+Ya+Mayam+Ya'+on+the+Mayem+Lake+with+GTDC+Director+Elvis+Gomes
Daijiworld.com Monday, October 10, 2005 News -- Goa: 'Ya Ya Mayam Ya' on the Mayem Lake with GTDC Director Elvis Gomes from Rupesh Samant in Panaji for Daijiworld News Network - Goa - posted on Sunday, 5-15 pm Panaji, Oct 9: Mayem lake situated in the North Goa hitherto less known amongst the tourists will now get the much-needed attention. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation on Sunday held special programme to attract attention towards this tourist spot. The lake situated just four kilometres away from Bicholim town was lesser visited by the tourists. The Mayem Residency, hotel owned by GTDC, also had less than 50 per cent occupancy. "We are trying to give importance to the lesser known tourist destinations, specially those situated in the hinterland,'' stated GTDC managing director Elvis Gomes. Special function organised to promote Mayem lake and aptly titled ya ya mayan ya was kicked open by local MLA Harish Zantye. Zantye, who owes his political affiliation to ruling Congress party, assured of a grant of Rs 3 crore for the development of this lake. There is no dearth of money. We have to chalk out plans to popularise lesser known tourist spots, he said. Frankfins, an institute imparting training in tours and travels, had sponsored the programme. A fashion show by Frankfins students, boat race were the highlight of the day. "Right now we have around 50 per cent occupancy in Mayem residency. We expect the occupancy to rise in the coming days. Right now all the rooms in Mayem residency are full,'' said an elated Gomes. The GTDC which has 13 hotels all around the state now intends to popularise hinterland tourism amongst its clientels -- domestic tourists. "We have shown enough of beaches. Now its time to show our nature,'' said Gomes. Besides planning sight seeing, the GTDC has also offered honeymoon packages in these hotels. ``Not only the domestic or foreign tourists, we want local Goans to stay in our hotels and feel Goa,'' added Gomes. -- PS: If you wish to have a *Gmail* e-mail address, do write to me. Will send you an invitation to open a *Gmail* e-mail account. :-)