PANAJI
Stung by social media bashing on the tourism front from across the country, the Goa government, despite having empanelled influencers for over 10 months, failed to effectively counter and shape public opinion about the once-renowned international destination.
While it did lose the opportunity to showcase diverse tourism offerings despite repeated claims that Goa is beyond beaches, the Tourism Department only acted on January 6, through an official communication to the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) to counter the alleged ‘paid propaganda’ by non-Goan influencers.
Highly placed sources told The Goan that an email was sent with a list of around nine influencers to be tasked with reshaping Goa’s image through social media reels.
“We have sent names of some influencers from the mixed category to not only promote Goa but, more importantly, to counter the negative perceptions portrayed over the past few weeks. We will showcase the crowds at popular destinations during the peak period last month and various tourism-related activities to affirm that Goa remains visitor-friendly,” a tourism official said.
The government sources have, meanwhile, admitted that not a single official communication was sent to the ESG earlier to promote Goa. It was only a couple of days back that a tourism official reached out to the ESG, albeit informally, to gather details about the project including the number and categories of influencers. The email followed shortly after.
“Had such proactive steps taken before the season started in October 2024 or during its peak, negativity spread on social media might have been defeated. Nevertheless, this would be a new beginning this year,” the official said.
The stakeholders have been going through a tough time amid rising domestic and international competition. Viral social media posts showing empty streets, shacks and beaches during the time when Goa usually records a surge in visitors compounded the issue, as new, affordable foreign destinations are increasingly drawing tourists away from the State.
