Goa Tourism Declines Compared To Previous Years: Report

Foreign tourism in Goa has yet to return to pre-Covid levels, according to a CEIC Data report.

Goa's reputation as the ultimate vacation destination appears to be on the decline. The draw of sandy beaches and boisterous parties has been surpassed by more affordable options in Sri Lanka and Thailand, luring tourists away with their exciting nightlife. People's transition from Goa's sun-kissed beaches to other seaside paradises has been gradual due to growing travel costs, unregulated hotel rates and subpar tourist experiences according to reports. The global pandemic accelerated this tendency, with a substantial drop in foreign visitors. 

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According to a CEIC Data report, foreign tourism has yet to return to pre-Covid levels. The analysis noted a stark discrepancy in visitor numbers, with only 1.5 million foreign visitors visiting the state in 2023, compared to 8.5 million in 2019. According to the report, regular tourists from countries such as Russia and the United Kingdom are opting for Sri Lanka over Goa.

In the wake of the report, a lot of people on social media recounted their own bad experiences with the so-called "Goa taxi mafia." Several travellers claimed taxi drivers harassed and overcharged them; some even shared incidents in which many drivers physically or verbally threatened them for giving rides to foreigners.

In 2014, the arrival of popular ride-hailing applications such as Ola and Uber was resisted by the state's taxi unions. The local taxi unions went on strike, pushing the Goa government to outlaw both Ola and Uber in the state. 

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With Southeast Asia and other destinations growing in popularity, the costs and inconveniences of travelling to Goa have compelled even Indian tourists to search for other options. Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia offer better infrastructure and lower travel costs. Some of these countries have also announced that Indians no longer need a visa to travel to their country. As competition from other regions grows, Goa, once a bustling tourism destination, may continue to witness a dwindling number of travellers.