Goa’s tourism grabbed the highlight final week after a viral submit claiming “international vacationers have deserted the state” triggered a barrage of social media reactions, with customers sharing their detrimental experiences of visiting the state. The state’s tourism division first issued a clarification, after which filed a grievance towards an entrepreneur behind the viral submit.
In an unique interview with The Indian Categorical, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte claims “hidden agenda” and “ulterior motives” might have been at play to malign the picture of the state. He additionally spoke about “inaccurate” comparisons of the state with worldwide locations like Sri Lanka and Thailand, tourism not being a zero-sum recreation and the perils of social media, amongst different points. Excerpts:
*Goa has been within the information over social media posts of “detrimental experiences” of vacationers, with a couple of claiming tourism was “down within the dumps” as a result of “native taxi mafia” and escalating prices. What’s your take?
Goa has at all times been a most popular vacationer vacation spot however yearly we’ve got any person, some influencer, who seems at it otherwise. Final 12 months, some individuals tried to defame Goa however it didn’t work.
We’ve got positioned figures (of vacationer footfalls) within the Meeting and possibly even in Parliament. Now out of the blue, a social media submit talks about knowledge from the “China Financial Info Centre”. The minute the phrase China comes, some alarm bells begin ringing. So, it seems like a plan or a hidden agenda to create false propaganda in regards to the state, which has been a most popular vacation spot of each worldwide and home vacationers.
The figures (within the viral submit) spoke about 8.5 million international vacationers in 2019 however that 12 months, the quantity was not even a million. In 2019, simply earlier than the pandemic, we had 71,27,287 home and 9,37,113 worldwide vacationers. If we examine figures with 2023, we had 81,75,460 home and 4,52,702 worldwide vacationers regardless of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and different post-Covid challenges.
Whereas the variety of worldwide vacationers fell throughout the pandemic, we’ve got made a restoration. Overseas vacationer arrivals in Goa are at the next share than the remainder of the nation and the restoration is about 50 p.c (of pre-pandemic numbers). By way of home vacationers, we’ve got already surpassed the pre-pandemic numbers. Within the subsequent quarter, which is the height season (October-December), we’ve got the exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier, IFFI and different festivals. So, we expect numerous individuals to go to.
*Are you saying there’s false propaganda being unfold to malign the picture of the state?
The false propaganda is possibly with an ulterior motive. This undoubtedly induced worry inside the native communities and led us to behave on it since false knowledge was disseminated on social media. As an extension of the false propaganda, we noticed social media handlers submit about their experiences in Goa. We acknowledge there are some points however each tourism state faces them.
*What are these points?
For example, unlawful touts have been there for a very long time. We’ve got run an aggressive marketing campaign over the previous two years to weed them out and proceed to take action.
Second, there’s a cost of a “taxi mafia” in Goa. I view it otherwise. We’ve got many worldwide vacationers, who go to Goa yearly and have had a rapport with taxi drivers for many years, and deal with them like an prolonged household because of previous experiences. Sure, there are a few rotten apples which spoil the picture of taxi drivers.
In regards to the excessive airfares and resort prices, the federal government can not curb any charges. The charges are pushed by market forces. If there’s a resort room being bought at worth “x”, it’s enterprise. It’s a problem and we acknowledge it. We’ve got additionally been speaking to commerce our bodies, however we can not curb charges. We’ve got additionally taken up the problem with the Civil Aviation Ministry and wish to increase connectivity as we have to connect with extra rising markets just like the UAE, south-east Asian nations, Germany and western Europe.
*Many individuals declare they’ve cancelled their Goa plans and are as a substitute travelling to Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam…
I cannot take (agree) with the comparability of Goa with different nations as we’re a small state of 1.5 million, which caters to 10 million vacationers yearly. We aren’t being in comparison with different states in India however based mostly on false knowledge, are being in comparison with different nations. It looks like a conspiracy to defame a most popular vacationer vacation spot within the nation.
Put up Covid, travellers need to discover extra locations. As a traveller, if I’m coming to Goa, I’m additionally going to Thailand, to Vietnam in addition to Europe. For somebody to unfold “don’t go to Goa” appears to be an prolonged false propaganda. You inform me what’s incorrect and we’ll right ourselves. Our economic system depends on tourism and contributes 16.43% to the GDP of the state and generates 35-40% of the state’s employment.
Sadly, social media has no limits. So, no matter one says turns into the reality if they’ve a sure following. Somebody ought to realise we’re “one India, unimaginable India” and we can not consider selling different nations after we are right here. We are able to undoubtedly journey to different nations…
*The tourism division filed a police grievance in response to the web criticism. If incorrect knowledge was shared, the federal government might have put out right knowledge. Why the grievance?
What do you anticipate the state to do? Do we’ve got to be sympathetic to somebody who’s enjoying with the nation and the state? Are you able to think about any person disseminating Chinese language knowledge and Indians are speaking about it? Our knowledge is offered within the public area. Take that and focus on with us.
Nonetheless, solely knowledge will not be the reply. Put up Covid, we have to discuss high quality over amount. Vacationers at the moment desire a extra immersive expertise and need to journey to tranquil locations. We are actually selling Goa past the seashores.
We’re additionally engaged on bringing in vacationers whose per capita spending is increased and specializing in offering infrastructure, governance and companies. Our insurance policies promote dwelling stays, caravan tourism and regenerative tourism the place we’re showcasing our custom, festivals, tradition, eco-tourism and selling the state as a marriage vacation spot.
The intention of those (defaming) social media posts, which got here initially of the height vacationer season, is much like what occurred final 12 months. This can be a concern for the state. It appears to be a scientific plan. I’m involved as a result of Goa depends upon tourism and therefore the grievance was lodged.
I’m positive whoever complains (about dangerous experiences) may even go to Goa. Goans have hospitality of their blood. Right here, we imagine the vacationer is God and need to give everybody a superb expertise.
*Has the Russia-Ukraine battle and developments in West Asia affected the variety of worldwide vacationers visiting the state?
The continuing conflicts have affected the numbers. Israel was imagined to open up (as a market) in large numbers this 12 months however couldn’t as a result of battle. Some formidable markets obtained curtailed as a result of conflict however we’ve got reached pre-Covid numbers with regard to vacationers from the UK and Russia.
Rome was not in-built an evening, neither can we. We’re taking a variety of proactive steps. We’d love for each vacationer to return to Goa and have a superb expertise.
