PANAJI
Amid recent social media criticism of a drop in international arrivals, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) highlighted the booming domestic tourism and Goa’s prominence as a premier wedding destination.
“Goa is likely to capture a slice of the 48 lakhs weddings planned (pan-India) between now and the end of the wedding season over the next 2-3 months,” TTAG President Jack Sukhija said.
He claimed that the surge in demand has resulted in high occupancy rates across upscale hotels, where peak seasons frequently witness sold-out dates. Flight and hotel prices are corrected as the market dictates.
The State has been facing flak over the drop in foreign footfalls. Social media users blamed long-standing, unresolved “taxi mafia,” harassment, inflated taxi fares, and poor infrastructure. Goa Tourism responded with a police complaint against the entrepreneur who first posted the data, alleging false information was affecting the State.
In 2023, Goa welcomed around 8 million domestic tourists and 450,000 foreign visitors. While domestic tourism saw remarkable growth, he stated that the outlook for international tourism in 2024 is optimistic.
However, Sukhija stated several critical challenges Goa must address to sustain its tourism growth such as lack of a reliable public transport system, no app-based taxi services currently operational, waste management on highways and visible sprawl detracting from Goa’s scenic charm, and issues related to overcapacity in accommodation, touting, security.
“In parts of Goa, over-tourism is prevalent. A large number of guests are overbearing and the local population is responding with the same energy. As such there are flash points between the two. The force of law should be prompt and fair ensuring the peace is maintained,” he said hinting at resentment from locals to intruding tourists at Fontainhas, Parra road, etc.
Despite these challenges, Goa remains a sought-after destination, but Sukhija urged that these structural issues be addressed to ensure its sustainability and attractiveness in the long term.
