• Source:JND
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Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has dismissed claims made by some social media influencers suggesting that tourists are abandoning Goa for other destinations. He criticised these influencers for spreading misleading information about the state. According to Sawant, all hotels and beaches in Goa were fully occupied during the Christmas and New Year festive season. He urged influencers to visit these locations to witness the reality themselves.

This statement follows reports from several tourists who noted that Goa’s typically bustling streets and crowded beaches appeared unusually quiet, with significantly fewer visitors than expected. A CEIC Data report earlier this year also highlighted a sharp decline in tourist numbers, with only 1.5 million foreign tourists visiting Goa in 2023, compared to 8.5 million in 2019.

CM Sawant: "All Goa Hotels Full"

The Chief Minister’s comments were prompted by posts on social media showing images and videos of deserted beaches, restaurants, and roads, suggesting a lack of tourists during the festive period. Denying these claims, Sawant asserted that Goa continues to attract a large number of tourists, both domestic and international, particularly during the New Year celebrations.

“I welcome people from across the country to Goa. December is a very important month for us, with various festivals, from international events to Christmas and New Year’s Eve, celebrated with great enthusiasm. The months of November, December, and January are always packed with tourists. All hotels are fully booked, and flights to Goa are in high demand,” Sawant said.

He added that necessary infrastructure had been arranged at popular churches, beaches, and temples to accommodate visitors.

Sawant also criticised social media influencers for spreading misinformation. He remarked, “Some influencers claim on social media that tourists are avoiding Goa and choosing other destinations. They are spreading the wrong message about Goa. I urge them to visit the state and see the vibrant coastal sites for themselves.”

The Chief Minister reiterated that beaches and roads in Goa were bustling with visitors and that international tourists continued to flock to the state. “The roads are crowded, and we are welcoming all tourists warmly,” he stated. Additional police forces, he added, had been deployed to manage the crowds and maintain law and order.

Declining Foreign Tourism 

According to data from O Heraldo, a local Goan publication, domestic tourist numbers in Goa have grown from 5.2 million in 2015 to over 8.5 million in 2023. However, foreign tourist arrivals have seen a sharp decline—from nearly 940,000 in 2019 to just 403,000 by November 2023.

With this surge in visitors, Goa has faced challenges like over-tourism, noise pollution, littering on beaches, traffic congestion, improper garbage disposal, dominance of ‘taxi mafias,’ water shortages, and the degradation of its fragile ecosystem, as reported by locals.

A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) by user Ramanuj Mukherjee, criticising the state of Goa’s tourism, sparked widespread discussion. Mukherjee highlighted the drop in foreign tourist numbers, particularly among Russians and Britons, who have reportedly opted for destinations like Sri Lanka instead.

He wrote, “Tourism in Goa is in decline. Foreign tourists have already abandoned the state. Indian tourists are still coming, but with word spreading about tourist exploitation and cheaper alternatives abroad, that might change soon.”

The post received mixed reactions. Some users blamed the dominance of taxi mafias and high costs for the decline, while others praised Goa’s hidden gems and natural beauty.

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One user commented, “Thanks to the taxi mafias, Goa has lost its appeal. However, lesser-known beaches and spots like Netravali waterfall remain breathtaking.”

Another user criticised Goa’s value for money, stating: “Goa is expensive and overrated. Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe offer far better experiences for the same price.”

Influencers React

Activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj also shared pictures of empty beaches and streets in Goa around New Year’s Eve. “Goa is almost empty. Hardly any tourists. This should be a wake-up call for the government,” she wrote, highlighting the ongoing issue of Goa’s taxi mafia and its resistance to ride-hailing apps.

While some agreed with Bhardwaj, others provided a more balanced view.

Srikanth Beldona, a regular visitor, commented: “While the crowds are fewer compared to previous years, it’s nowhere near as empty as shown. Popular spots are still buzzing, and rental prices remain high.”

Another user added, “We just returned from Goa, and it was far from empty. Roads and tourist spots were busy as usual.”

However, many users pointed out that tourist numbers in Goa are significantly lower than in past years, attributing the decline to high hotel rates, expensive taxis, and the growing popularity of affordable international destinations like Thailand.

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