PANAJI
The recent travel advisory by Canada for its citizens visiting Goa has sparked controversy with citizens questioning its necessity given the lower number of Canadians in the State.
Some criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for allegedly maligning Goa, while others highlighted the disparity in safety concerns.
Many citizens have also taken to social media to express their support for Goa where Russian and UK tourists are in significant numbers. Interestingly, these two nations have not raised any concerns about safety in Goa in the recent past.
“@JustinTrudeau is childish in maligning a place like Goa where millions come from abroad,” Dinesh Solanki, posted on his X account in response to BJP leader Savio Rodrigues’ post wherein he too rubbished the advisory.
“…As a Goan, let me state clearly and confidently that Goa is the safest place for a woman to holiday. I would also like to advise the Goans and people from other parts of India to be suspicious of Canadians holidaying in Goa or other parts of India because some might have links to Khalistani terrorist groups and the airports must put all people from Canada coming to Goa under watch,” Rodrigues stated.
Domestic tourists also joined in refuting the advisory's claims even though Goa did report cases against foreign nationals, in the past. Jaipur-native, Manish Godara shared his positive experiences in Goa, describing it as one of the friendliest places in India.
Another social media user Joel Guner pointed out that Goa primarily attracts British and Russian tourists while Canadians make up a very small percentage.
People have termed the advisory as propaganda with some even claiming that Goa is safer than Canada itself. “Goa is more safe than any region of Canada,” Sreenivas said.
