Goa seeks tourism, energy tie-up with birthplace of St Francis Xavier

PANAJI: A delegation of Goa tourism officials will travel to Navarra in Spain, the birthplace of St Francis Xavier, to study its use of renewable energy technology in the interest of sustainable tourism.
Tourism department sources said Goa is keen on establishing links with the Spanish town to study its success in renewable energy, waste management and environment-friendly tourism practices.Accordingly tourism director Swapnil Naik and director of science and technology Michael D'souza, will soon visit Navarra.
The tourism department plans to collaborate with Navarra, situated at the northern most tip of Spain to promote cross-regional tourism and eco-friendly tourism initiatives. Navarra has also shown keen interest in Goa due to its emotional ties with the state.
The Spanish region which spreads across the magnificent Pyrenees range of mountains to the serene plains of the Ebro river valley in the south, attracts tourists from across the world and is known for rural and eco-tourism.
A pioneering region in renewable energy, specially wind energy, Navarra leads Europe in its use of renewable energy technology. The region generates over 60% of its electricity through renewable energy, mainly utilizing natural sources such as the wind, water and the sun. The region now plans not only to cover the entire electricity consumption needs of the region through renewable energy, but also export the process to benefit other regions and countries, an official press release said.
Swapnil Naik said, "Navarra has created a successful model which integrates tourism and renewable energy. The region has pioneered the use of renewable energy and leads the rest of the European cities in its successful use of the technology. We hope to get an insight into the policies and implementation process which will aid in rolling out similar energy measures in Goa too."
Goa also seeks to study Navarra's garbage management methods which will help reign in the increasing garbage problems in the state. Naik said, "Navarra has set up biomass plants, turbines and wind mills which successfully harness renewable energy. Generating energy from garbage could be an excellent method of managing and recycling garbage to produce energy, and will be of great use to Goa."