Tourism in Goa is witnessing a significant decline, with many Indian tourists now opting for Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand and Sri Lanka over the coastal state. A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) shared by Ramanuj Mukherjee has highlighted the drop in foreign visitors to Goa, with statistics from CEIC showing that only 1.5 million foreign tourists visited the state in 2023, compared to 8.5 million in 2019. Despite a steady rise in domestic tourism post-Covid, the negative experiences faced by tourists in Goa are threatening to drive even local visitors away.
The report mentions that Russians and Brits, who used to visit Goa regularly, are now preferring Sri Lanka for their holidays. As the post gained traction with over 2 million views, many social media users began sharing their own unpleasant experiences of being exploited by local taxi drivers and dealing with overpriced hotel accommodations, which they claim have contributed to the state’s tourism woes.
The “Goa taxi mafia” has emerged as one of the key factors blamed for this decline. Several tourists reported being harassed and overcharged by taxi drivers, especially when trying to offer rides to foreign tourists. One user, Madhur, shared a harrowing experience when he went to pick up a German friend from Benaulim Beach. He described how more than 10 taxi drivers ganged up against him and forced his friend to pay ₹1,800 for a 37 km ride.
Social media users have long criticized Goa’s local taxi unions for opposing the entry of ride-hailing apps like Ola and Uber. When Ola first launched in Goa in 2014, it sparked a strike by taxi unions that eventually led to the banning of the service. Many tourists have called for these ride-hailing apps to be allowed back in Goa to provide more affordable and convenient transportation options.
Another issue that has surfaced is the high cost of accommodation in Goa, with many tourists lamenting the excessive prices at hotels compared to other tourist destinations. Some tourists have noted that similar or better experiences can be had for much lower costs in countries like Thailand and Sri Lanka.
As a result of these issues, Indian tourists have started turning to destinations like Thailand, which offer better value for money, improved transport infrastructure, and higher standards of living. Some users even shared that after calculating the cost of traveling to Goa, they decided to visit Sri Lanka instead.
The growing dissatisfaction with Goa’s tourism infrastructure, coupled with the rise of competing destinations, could spell a challenging future for the state’s tourism industry unless significant changes are made. While the local economy remains heavily dependent on tourism, the unchecked power of the “taxi mafia” and the rising costs of accommodation are leaving a sour taste for many who once considered Goa a top holiday destination.
As Goa struggles to address these concerns, tourists are increasingly voicing their preference for alternatives, leaving many to wonder whether the state can turn things around before its tourism sector is irreparably harmed.
Sources By Agencies