Goa, a destination place for tourists from around the world, is continuously facing big challenges. Since COVID-19, the number of foreign tourists visiting Goa has dropped a lot. Although more Indian tourists are now visiting, the number of visitors from other countries is still much lower compared to earlier. This is causing issues for businesses in Goa that mostly rely on foreign tourists for their income.

After and before COVID scenario

According to OHeraldo, in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Goa welcomed almost 9.4 lakh foreign tourists. But by 2023, this number fell sharply to only 4.03 lakh. This means there are 60% fewer foreign tourists now, which is causing problems for local businesses that depend on them. In 2022, the drop was even bigger, with 82% fewer foreign tourists than in 2018. This has made the financial situation very challenging for Goa’s tourism industry.

Taxi mafia causes frustration for tourists

A major issue for tourists in Goa is the "taxi mafia." Taxi drivers often charge high prices, don't use meters, and ignore rules. Many tourists, especially from abroad, have complained about being overcharged and sometimes even threatened by the drivers. One tourist shared a troubling story online: “Once in Goa, we gave a lift to a foreign tourist in our car. Some taxi guy stopped us and asked us to get him down, or they would break the car.”

The problem is made worse because there are no online taxi services like Ola and Uber in Goa. In other places in India, tourists can use these app-based services, which give fixed prices and tracking options for safety. But in Goa, tourists usually have to use local taxis, which leads to disappointment and negative reviews. This can hurt Goa’s reputation as a tourist-friendly place.

International issues have also led to fewer foreign tourists in Goa. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused a drop in Russian visitors. Goa used to get about five flights a day from Russia, but now only a few come each week. Likewise, political problems in the Middle East have reduced Israeli tourists, and flights from Israel to Goa have been canceled.

The delay in e-visa services for UK travelers has also made it harder for European tourists to visit Goa. Many tourists from the UK used to come to Goa, but now, because getting a visa takes longer, fewer British tourists are visiting. This has caused a further drop in the number of foreign visitors.

Domestic tourism rises but doesn’t fully compensate

Even though fewer foreign tourists are coming, more Indian tourists are visiting Goa, which has helped Goa’s tourism industry a little. In 2019, Goa had around 80.6 million Indian tourists, but this number dropped in 2020 because of the pandemic. By 2023, it improved to 76.1 million. Indian tourists are now more willing to spend on things like destination weddings and family vacations, which has provided some support to local businesses.

However, local operators argue that foreign tourists contribute more to the economy than domestic tourists. Foreign visitors usually stay longer, spend more, and often prefer premium accommodations, contributing more revenue to the local economy.

Stakeholders call for policy changes

Local businesses in Goa are demanding the government make it easier for foreign tourists to visit. Business leaders suggest that the government could lower visa costs, cut down airport fees, and make it simpler for tourists to get visas when they arrive. They believe these changes would help Goa compete better with other popular places like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

People involved in tourism in Goa are asking for better facilities and services. They think that having better public transport, nicer beach facilities, and an improved overall experience for tourists will help bring back international visitors to Goa.

Many people in Goa's tourism industry are still hopeful. The main tourist season from November to March will be an important time for Goa. They believe that if the political situation improves and some helpful changes are made, Goa could again become one of Asia's top places to visit.

Local tourism leaders think that fixing some major problems like the high taxi fares, adding better transport options, and updating visa rules will help bring back more foreign tourists. At the same time, with more Indian tourists visiting, Goa has a good chance to grow its economy by adjusting to new travel trends and giving tourists what they need.