PANAJI
Amidst social media posts showing a thin crowd of tourists in Goa during the peak festive season in December 2024, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has accused certain influencers of propagating negative narratives about the State.
He also criticized comparisons between Goa and international destinations particularly Thailand, stating, “We don’t want a Thailand-like experience in Goa. You know what I am trying to say.”
While he conceded certain challenges faced by the tourism sector, Khaunte stated that such issues are prevalent in destinations worldwide. “Each destination has its own challenges, and every government is proactively working on them. Tourism in Asia is still recovering post-Covid,” he said replying to a question at a press conference on Thursday.
The minister questioned the intentions of some influencers allegedly running anti-Goa campaigns. “Have these people become anti-Indian to run such a negative campaign about Goa” he asked, adding that a plan to expose paid influencers maligning Goa’s image would soon be revealed.
With this, Khaunte dismissed claims of a downturn in tourist arrivals claiming that Goa recorded impressive footfall during the festive season. “Data for last year will soon be released,” he said.
While the minister defended the State’s tourism prospects, videos and posts on social media depicted deserted beaches, nearly empty shacks and affordability concerns. Several writers and visitors compared Goa unfavourably with other destinations. Khaunte alleged some influencers post negative feedback about Goa on failing to get free food and even stay.
Columnist Vir Sanghvi, in his recent article on national media, cited cost discrepancies. “Thailand is much cheaper than Goa. There are many cheap flights from more and more Indian cities, and Thai budget hotels are better and cheaper than Goa’s. At the top end of the market, Goa is a joke. The business class fare from Delhi to Bangkok is lower in the high season than the fare from Delhi to Goa. Moreover, Goa also has very few luxury hotels. These are usually more expensive than more numerous and vastly superior luxury hotels in Bangkok,” he wrote.
In another instance, social media user Nakshatra Sain shared her experience in Sri Lanka claiming value for money. “At a pool club in Sri Lanka, two people spent Rs 7,000 including brunch and cocktails. Why would you choose Goa over that? I didn’t expect Sri Lanka to be this good,” her post read.
