Once a thriving destination for both local and international visitors, Goa is currently witnessing a decline in tourist arrivals. Various factors have contributed to this downturn, reshaping the dynamics of one of India’s most popular beach destinations.
According to recent data from CEIC, Goa has seen a sharp drop in foreign tourist arrivals. In 2023, the state hosted only 1.5 million foreign tourists, a significant decrease from the 8.5 million that visited in 2019. This gap underscores the slow recovery of international tourism in Goa post-Covid, with many international tourists yet to return.
The decline can be partly attributed to a shift in destination preferences among travelers from key countries like Russia and the United Kingdom. Once regular visitors to Goa, many tourists from these regions are now opting for destinations like Sri Lanka, potentially due to affordability, accessibility, or improved experiences elsewhere.
Another significant issue impacting Goa’s tourism industry is the rise in complaints about local transportation. On social media, tourists have shared negative experiences regarding transportation costs and encounters with what they call the “Goa taxi mafia.” Many report being overcharged, and some even mention cases of harassment or intimidation by local taxi drivers. This dissatisfaction is compounded by local taxi unions’ opposition to ride-hailing services such as Ola and Uber, which remain banned in the region due to protests from local taxi drivers.
Here is a video in which a traveler Rupali Sakpal shares her bad experience, she reveals that she booked a taxi through Goa Miles but local taxi drivers behaved as rowdies when he brought his cab inside the hotel:
Goa’s Taxi Mafia Is Responsible For Downfall of Goa Tourism User Blames Drivers union Dictatorship For Decline In Tourist Numbers . #goatourism pic.twitter.com/JnUiGYjlW3
— Times Applaud (@TimesApplaud) November 13, 2024
This is a serious matter and the government should take steps to sort it out.
