The party’s over? Why Goa’s foreign tourism has 'dropped by 60 per cent'

For decades, Goa has been one of the must-visit holiday destinations in India. From the idyllic beaches to the unique cultural blend, this Indian beach paradise drew visitors from around the world year after year.

But today, international arrivals in the beach state have dropped by a staggering 60 per cent, leaving the once-bustling shores noticeably quieter and local businesses worried about the future.

As per the local daily OHeraldo, in 2019, Goa welcomed nearly 9.4 lakh foreign tourists, but by 2023, this figure shrank to just 4.03 lakh by November.

The decline has left the tourism sector the crucial part of the state’s economy and one that’s heavily reliant on international visitors with profound challenges.

“Foreign tourists have abandoned the state already. Russians and Brits who used to visit annually have opted for Sri Lanka instead,” Ramanuj Mukherjee, an entrepreneur, wrote on X flagging the alarming drop in foreign tourists. His post has garnered more than 2 million views.

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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

But why are foreign tourists drifting away from Goa? Here’s a closer look.

Notorious rise of ’taxi mafias'

Goa’s tourism industry is facing an unexpected challenge from what locals call the ‘taxi mafia’—a powerful group that dominates the state’s taxi services, often at the expense of both tourists and residents.

These taxi operators have gained a reputation for their inflated fares, lack of metered services, and disregard for government regulations. For many tourists, particularly foreigners, this results in unpleasant encounters, leaving them feeling overcharged and taken advantage of.

“Goa is doomed all thanks to the alliance of local taxi mafia and administration,” an X user expressed, reflecting growing frustrations among visitors.

Some tourists have even reported feeling threatened when negotiating fares or attempting to secure a fair price, with taxi drivers sometimes refusing service altogether if their high demands aren’t met.

In one instance, an X user shared how he faced hostility from over 10 taxi drivers when he tried to pick up a German friend from a popular beach. “Goa’s taxi mafia is responsible for it,” he wrote, revealing that a German tourist had to pay Rs 1,800 for a 37-kilometre ride.

Goa’s taxi mafia is responsible for it. 100%

I went to pick up a friend (from Germany) from Benaulim Beach and I was accompanied by another friend (a local Goan). A taxi guy (in Benaulim) saw us, he stopped us and in no time there were 10+ taxi drivers ready to beat us up. The… https://t.co/V43IsQXBm9

— Madhur (@ThePlacardGuy) November 5, 2024

Fitness influencer Chirag Barjatya also recounted a similar encounter: “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. Goa tourism is ruined majorly by how taxi mafia behaved,” he wrote.

This situation is further exacerbated by the absence of online ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber, which operate in most major tourist cities in India. When Ola attempted to launch in Goa in 2014, taxi unions went on strike, pressuring the government to block the apps.

With limited transport options, tourists in Goa often have no choice but to accept the steep rates, leading to negative reviews, frustration and dissatisfaction.

The geopolitical factor

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the unrest between Israel and Palestine have significantly reduced the number of tourists from these regions, according to O Heraldo.

Previously, Goa welcomed around five charter flights daily from Russia, but now only a few flights arrive weekly, reported The Goan Everyday.

Similarly, Israeli tourists, who once visited Goa frequently, are now staying away as political instability in West Asia continues, causing charter flights from Israel to be suspended.

“Only a few flights are available, but the tickets have become very expensive. I arrived here on a one-month visa, which will soon expire. We came here with a group of five people. Three of them have already returned to volunteer in the Army,” an Israeli national told The Indian Express.

“I have cancelled plans to travel to other cities. In the midst of this violence, I feel guilty if I go to the beach So, we come here for solidarity and to pray for our loved ones,” she added.

The reduced number of foreign tourists is impacting businesses too. Cruz Cardozo, President of Shack Welfare Owners Society (SWOS) told OHeralado in April, “The quality of the number of foreign tourists has come down drastically. In fact, even Indian tourists are less at shacks. The situation is such that some shacks are running empty as they cannot manage their daily expenses."

Beyond these geopolitical challenges, India’s delays in e-visa processing for UK nationals have further complicated the situation, reducing the number of European tourists and affecting Goa’s steady stream of international visitors.

‘Thailand is better’

Ramanuj Mukherjee recently observed that although Indian tourists continue to visit Goa, many might reconsider due to the state’s high prices and declining infrastructure compared to other South Asian destinations.

“People believe Goa suffers from over-tourism. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia and coastal Spain welcome far more visitors at a lower cost, with better transportation, higher living standards, and well-preserved environments. We’re failing Goa,” commented an X user, voicing growing discontent.

Another user remarked that Goa has lost its appeal as a budget-friendly option, stating, “Goa has the worst infrastructure of any international beach destination I’ve visited,” and noted that Thailand’s Phuket offers better amenities at a fraction of Goa’s costs.

Also read: Globe-trotters: Why more Indians are travelling the world

Vijay Mehta, a fund manager had earlier highlighted in a Business Today report that rising costs in Goa are eroding its competitive edge. “It’s cheaper to go to Hanoi than Goa,” he noted, adding, “Vietnam is the new Thailand with mass affordable tours, direct flights, and good value for money."

Responding to these social media concerns, Goa Tourism issued a statement seeking to provide an “accurate” perspective.

“Like any other destination, Goa is subject to market forces. At times, high travel and accommodation costs can make it seem expensive, leading some to explore alternatives. However, Goa has consistently risen to such challenges and will remain a premier destination for diverse travellers.”

As the peak season from November to March unfolds, all eyes are on Goa to see how it addresses these challenges and retains its appeal to visitors.

With input from agencies