Issuing a “clarification” after a barrage of social media posts bashing Goa’s tourism infrastructure—from cabs to hotels—and comparing it to international destinations, the state government said comparing a state in India to another country like Sri Lanka may yield an “inaccurate perspective.”
In the recent statement, Goa Tourism clarified its position, expressing the need to provide an “accurate” update in light of recent discussions that have raised concerns about the health of the state’s tourism sector.
The statement emphasised that Goa, as a state within India, should not be directly compared to countries like Sri Lanka, as such comparisons could lead to an inaccurate perspective.
While acknowledging Goa’s challenges, such as “limited scheduled international air connectivity,” the department highlighted that the government is working closely with the central authorities to improve flight connectivity and secure additional seat entitlements to enhance the state’s international links.
“Like any other tourist destination, Goa is influenced by market forces, and at times, the cost of air travel and accommodations can make the state seem expensive, prompting some potential tourists to seek alternatives. However, Goa has consistently met such challenges and will continue to strengthen its position as a premier destination for a wide range of travelers. Major international hotel chains have established a presence in Goa, with several new properties under development and even more seeking to enter the market,” the statement said.
This response comes after several posts on social media claimed that Goa’s tourism industry was struggling, with tourists opting for destinations like Sri Lanka, Thailand, or Vietnam instead. Critics pointed to issues such as inadequate public transport, a “local taxi mafia,” and overpriced hotel rates.
Despite these concerns, the tourism department pointed out that Goa had experienced a “robust resurgence” in domestic tourism, with over 8 million (80 lakh) domestic visitors in 2023—surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. Additionally, 4.5 lakh foreign tourists visited Goa last year.
The department also emphasized its commitment to ensuring that tourism benefits both the environment and local communities, shifting focus from purely quantitative growth to a model prioritizing quality over quantity.
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, foreign tourist arrivals in Goa were significantly affected by the pandemic. In 2020, just 3.03 lakh foreign tourists visited, and in 2021, during the second Covid wave, the number dropped to only 22,000. However, the number rebounded to 1.75 lakh in 2022, still far below pre-pandemic levels, when over 9.34 lakh foreign tourists visited in 2018, followed by a slight increase to 9.37 lakh in 2019.
In terms of domestic tourism, over 70 lakh visitors came to Goa in 2022, just slightly fewer than the 70.8 lakh who visited in 2018.
This post was originally published on here
