Huge decrease in Goa tourism, resulting 80% decline in four years; Know reasons
Goa: Goa, the place that was once bustling with foreign tourists is currently facing a decline in the tourism industry as the number of foreign tourists has fallen drastically.
According to Goa tourism industry data, the state had 8.5 million foreign tourists in 2019, whereas in comparison, only 1.5 million visitors have come in the year 2023. On the other hand, tourists and social media point to harassment by the local taxi mafia and steep price hikes as big problems. Tourism in Goa is in decline for several reasons. Foreign tourism has failed to touch pre-Covid levels in the state, according to the data report from CEIC. This report highlights the huge difference in the number of visitors.
According to the report, the drop in the preferred destination is being seen mainly due to the fact that tourists from countries like Russia and the United Kingdom, who were once regular visitors, prefer destinations like Sri Lanka over Goa. Following the report, several social media users shared their negative experiences, including the issue of the so-called 'Goa taxi mafia'. Tourists complained of being harassed and overcharged by taxi drivers, with some reporting experiences where several drivers threatened or harassed them for giving rides to foreigners.
The cost and hassles of traveling to Goa have also made Indian tourists seek other alternative options when Southeast Asia and other places slowly turn popular. Among the favorites, the report mentions destinations, especially Thailand, which has announced visa-free for them, besides places having better infrastructure and affordable travel expenses including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, are fast finding the best slots in tours. Go Goa, which enjoyed its better days in being accepted by everyone as a major tourist destination, is likely to shrink with increased competition from its regions.
