The Goa Tourism Department recently filed a police complaint against an entrepreneur following his social media post that criticized Goa's current tourism status. The entrepreneur’s Posted on X, that foreign tourists are now favoring destinations like Sri Lanka over Goa, leading to concerns about a decline in Goa's tourism appeal.
Accusations of False Data
Rajesh Kale, Deputy Director of Tourism labeled the post by the entrepreneue as "public mischief." According to Kale, the social media post not only shared "false data" but also created unnecessary fear within Goa’s tourism community. The entrepreneur, who reportedly has over 22,500 followers and runs an online legal learning platform, compared recent foreign tourist arrivals with 2019 figures which showed a decline. This claim raised alarm among local businesses and authorities all over the Goa.
Tourism in Goa is down in dumps
Foreign tourists have abandoned the state already. Look at 2019 v 2023 numbers. Russians and Brits who used to visit annually have opted for Sri Lanka instead.
Indian tourists still visiting, but soon likely to ditch it as word spreads about… pic.twitter.com/RF2TLC2Zvi— Ramanuj Mukherjee (@law_ninja) November 5, 2024
Concerns Over Data Credibility
According to Kale, the entrepreneur used questionable data from the China Economic Information Center (CEIC) without consulting Goa’s Department of Tourism for verification. Kale also stated that the post may have been intended to damage the reputation of Goa and such comments risk public unrest and could encourage negative behavior toward the state’s image.
Tourism Department’s Statement Defends Goa
Goa’s tourism department released a statement this week defending the state’s position. The department acknowledged that Goa faces market-driven challenges that can affect prices but emphasized that comparing Goa to international destinations like Sri Lanka may yield “inaccurate perspectives.” Cyber Crime Superintendent Rahul Gupta stated that the department had not yet received the complaint formally but would review the allegations upon receipt.
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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